Thomas B. Mason, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia and an actor, died Thursday. He was 88.

A Lynchburg native, Mason came to Roanoke in 1961 when President John Kennedy appointed him U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia.

Mason had close ties to Kennedy.

The two served together in the South Pacific as naval officers during World War II, and Mason was later a district campaign coordinator for Kennedy's presidential bid.

The men even shared the same nickname, Shafty. Kennedy was christened with the name for saying, "I've been shafted," and Mason earned the nickname after a member of his crew dropped a propeller shaft into deep water.

Mason served as U.S. attorney for two terms, until 1969. The current U.S. attorney's offices in Roanoke are named for Mason.

After his second term, he took a job at Norfolk and Western Railway Co. working as a liaison to the General Assembly. He retired in 1983.

"Tom was a citizen of the world," said former state Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, who knew Mason from his time as U.S. attorney. "Anything that involved people, he would excel at."

Before being appointed U.S. attorney, Mason had graduated from the University of Virginia law school.

He worked as a general practice lawyer in Lynchburg for 10 years.

Then, from 1956 to 1961 he worked for the People's National Bank and Trust Co., Lynchburg, as both trust officer and later, as vice president.

Mason was active in Democratic Party politics, acting as campaign chairman for U.S. Rep. Clarence Burton in 1948 and a delegate in the Democratic National Convention in 1960.

Aside from his successes in law and politics, Mason is also well-known for his talents on stage, especially playing the role of Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey."

"He was Elwood P. Dowd," Woodrum said.

Mason began acting while a freshman at Hampden-Sydney. In 1971, he began acting again with Hollins College Theatre, Showtimers and Mill Mountain Theatre.

Jim Ayers, former director of Mill Mountain Theatre, recalls that at his retirement party, Mason came in character as Dowd.

"He loved that. That was his favorite part," Ayers said. "He never stopped playing it."

William Hopkins, a former state senator, knew Mason from his work with the General Assembly while working for N&W.

Mason, who also served as an elder and a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, was dedicated to his career, Hopkins said, but was also a very good actor.

"I think he missed his calling," Hopkins said.

In addition to playing Dowd, Mason also played the role of Norman Thayer in a theater production of "On Golden Pond." He also appeared in three feature films, "Crimes of the Heart," "Mississippi Burning," and "Gods and Generals." He also appeared in made-for-television movies.

Friends say it was Mason's charisma, his sharp wit, love of life and genuine interest in people that propelled him to success.

"The worst mood I ever saw him in was cheerful," Woodrum said.

"Anybody who was around him ... was just lucky to know him. He's just the type of person that'll be missed."