Colonel Mason began his military career in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and later became a charter member of the U.S. Air Force, serving with distinction while with the U.S. Air Force Security Service. His decorations included the Legion of Merit with Second Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force Security Service Hall of Honor. After retiring from the Air Force, he was the Business Administrator at Manor Baptist Church for 16 years, where he had been a longtime member and Deacon.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Buddy, in 1979 and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nelle; son, Ernie and his wife, Patricia and her sons, Gabe and Nick; daughter, Susan Porter and her husband, Steve and their children, Jake and Alissa. He is also survived by three of his four brothers, Fred, Ray and William Mason; four sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
