Kentucky tornado victim spent final hour caring for neighbors, beloved dog

With a tornado bearing down on Laurel County on May 16, Pam Mason called as many people as she could to make sure they were sheltered from the storm.

“Her final act on Earth was to call her neighbor to tell them to come shelter with her, a tornado was coming,” said her daughter Christie Scott.

Mason, 67, was one of 19 people who died last weekend in the tornadoes that struck Kentucky.

“There’s so much good about mom it’s hard to start,” Christie Scott said. “Everyone knew her or of her, she lit up the room with her smile. She took care of everyone and would do without so a stranger could be taken care of.”

Mason was always busy with something, whether it was housework, cleaning or mowing, cooking for her family or taking her beloved dog, Buddy, to the dog park.

“Pam did not go anywhere without Buddy,” her son-in-law, David Scott, said.

Mason likely held Buddy tightly while sheltering in the hallway of her home Friday night. She prepared for the storm, but nobody could imagine how destructive it would become, David Scott said.

In an instant, Mason was gone and Buddy was swept away, he said.

Christie Scott said in a Facebook post in the aftermath of the tornado, “This has been the worst hours of our life. Mom’s house is gone, she and Buddy are missing. They were in the house when the tornado hit but they have not been found as of yet. We’re expecting the worst.”

Mason had put Buddy’s leash on him. That act ultimately saved his life, David Scott said.

“Buddy was later found by a Kentucky State Police officer, battered and bruised, his leash wrapped around his throat. The leash was also wrapped around a tree, tethering Buddy to Earth. His eyes were bloodshot from the lack of oxygen and a laceration on his back leg exposed his bone. His body was wet, muddy, and contorted, but he was alive,” David Scott said.

A volunteer assisting with pet rescue recognized him. He was taken to Advanced Animal Care in Richmond, where he has been receiving around-the-clock love and care.

“All 17 pounds of him survived an EF3 tornado with sustained winds in excess of 165 mph, an absolute miracle,” David Scott said. “His condition is improving every day, and he is expected to recover and be home with us in a couple days’ time.”

The Laurel County coroner confirmed late Saturday that Mason was among the 17 victims of the storm in that county.

Mason retired as a human resources specialist for the state Department of Juvenile Justice. She was a passionate supporter of the South Laurel High School Band, her obituary published by Bowling Funeral Home reads, and an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan.

She was a devoted member of Creek Church in London, and “would want God to be honored in this tragedy,” Christie Scott said.

“For Pam, the sun rose and set in Christie,” David Scott said. “She raised her to believe in the miracle of Jesus and to always find the good in everyone.”

Mason’s services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Bowling Funeral Home with visitation from noon until 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or the Laurel County Animal Shelter. You can mail checks to 1697 Chris Hamlin Memorial Lane, London, KY 40744, the obituary said.

This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 10:06 AM.