Burleson and Johnson County lost a great friend Thursday morning. Pamela Smith Masters, known simply as “Pam” by her friends and colleagues, passed away. Masters was the founder and owner of the popular internet radio station, JoCo Community Radio.

Masters had a natural ability to connect with people and was a self-described volunteer. She began her career working a series of volunteer coordinator positions. Masters helped with hurricane Katrina relief in Burleson and also worked as a volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis County and Mission Hospice. Additionally, she worked with intellectually disabled individuals in Keene.

“Pam had a passion to connect with people, and the power of the community in order to better serve everyone,” said Chad Duncan, whose show Where You Wanna Eat? is on JoCo Community Radio, said.

Connie Little, one of Master’s friends and JoCo coworker, said Master’s passion in life was Johnson County.

“No one loved it more than she did,” Little said. “Pam’s dream was, and will continue to be, to make JoCo another community resource to learn and share good information about the amazing people and places that exist in Johnson County. Pam felt like everyone has a purpose & a passion that they would like to share, JoCo Community Radio is and will continue to be there for them to do just that.

Pam may be gone but will live forever in the hearts of those who loved and believed in her passion for all the people. Pam would always say she was friend rich. Honestly, for those of us who called Pam friend, we were the wealthy and lucky ones. She will be forever missed, but never will she be forgotten.”

Drew Pennywell, Burleson’s assistant to the city manager, said Masters will be missed.

“The city always appreciated how much passion Pam had for the community and bringing folks together. On behalf of the city we’d like to extend the family our deepest sympathy through this tough time,” Pennywell said. “We looking forward to working with JoCo Community Radio and continuing her vision and dream.

Everyone is pretty somber today. She was such a bright person. We are pretty shook. In the last six to eight months she has worked even more closely with the city to draw the community into Old Town.”

A candlelight celebration in Master’s memory will be held on Friday at 6 p.m. More information can be found on the JoCo Community Radio Facebook page.

On Nov. 29, a Celebration of Life for Masters will be held at Moontower Pizza from 6-9 p.m. There will also be silent auction fund raiser. Moontower Pizza is located at 137 South Wilson Street.

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