Alphonso Rudolph Mason, Sr.

Alphonso Rudolph Mason, Sr., 78, a resident of Harrisonburg, passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the Veteran’s Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV. He had been battling cancer since March 2008.

He was born on May 10, 1932 in Harrisonburg and was the son of the late Margaret Mason.

Mr. Mason lived all of his life in the Harrisonburg area. He attended the Zenda School, which later became Lucy F. Simms School, where he was a trombonist in Bundy’s Band and a star basketball player. He was of the Baptist faith and was a tool and dye maker at Persona, formerly American Safety Razor, from which he retired. He also served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife, Eva Frances, three daughters, Vicki Haliburton of Richmond, VA, Denise Haliburton and husband, Bill of Harrisonburg, Joanndra Haliburton of Savannah, GA, a step daughter, Lucretia Cooper of Harrisonburg, ten grandchildren, Tony, Will, Robert, Trey, Al III, Jerome, Joshua, J.R., Desiree, and Alyssa, seven great-grandchildren, Darren, Simone, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Sara, and twins, Khionna and Kiara, nephews, Kenneth and Carl Lee Durrett, and a host of devoted and treasured friends.

Although Mr. Mason was an only child, he considered his first cousins, Theresa, Sue, Earl Lee, Sylvia Jane, Jean, Gayle, Celeste, Douglas, and Debbie as siblings, as well as Sally, Tommy, and Rodney, who are deceased.

He was also preceded in death by only 13 hours by his only son, Alphonso R. Mason, Jr. A step daughter, Diane Wyancko also precedes him.

A funeral service will be held 3:00 PM, Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg with Rev. Tony Carter and Rev. Dwight Blakey officiating. Burial will follow at Newtown Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1920 H Medical Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Online condolences may be made to the Mason family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.