Donald Edward Mason age 93 was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 13, 1933. He passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Don was survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon Glenn Mason, and daughter, Valerie Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents Jessie E. Harrison Mason and Marion M. Mason, Sr.
Don was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, where he served with honor from 1951 to 1977. During his 26 years of service, he achieved the rank of Master Chief Hospital Corpsman. He served as a corpsman with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division during the Korean War where he was awarded a Navy Cross and a Purple Heart. After retiring from the Navy, Don joined the U. S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer serving in Dakar, Senegal; Guadalajara, Mexico; and Panama City, Panama. He retired in 1994 and moved to San Antonio, Texas, with his wife Sharon and daughter Valerie.
Outside of his military career, Don was a devoted husband to Sharon, a loving father to Valerie, a caring brother to Dorothy Burns (deceased), Marion (Bud) Mason (deceased), Barbara Zeiher (deceased), Tom Mason, and Steve Mason, and a fun uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He was an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, The Legion of Valor of the United States of America where he was a past National Commander, and the Foreign Service Association.
Funeral services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home in San Antonio, Texas on October 21, 2026. Visitation will be at 11:00 followed by the service at 12:00. Interment will take place at the Fort Sam Houston Cemetery on the 21st at 1:15.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund or The 1st Marine Division Association in San Antonio, Alamo Chapter.
Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218, US, on October 21, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218, US, on October 21, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, with live stream available at https://www.facebook.com/1742304236071652.
A Committal Service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209, US, on October 21, 2026, from 1:15 pm to 1:35 pm, with live stream available at https://www.facebook.com/1742304236071652.
