On October 12, 2023 the constellations welcomed another star. Mr. Orville Wyatt Mason, Jr. was a great father, loving husband, awesome leader, generous provider, and a fierce protector of his wife and son. Born in Los Angeles, California, on March 31, 1932 he was a very industrious, educated, and talented man.

He began his musical education at Compton College in Compton, California. He joined the US Navy in 1950 and served on the USS F.D. Roosevelt where he was accepted to the prestigious Naval School of Music. During his tour, he played in several countries in Europe and the Mediterranean where his ship was stationed. At the end of his tour, Mr. Mason moved to E. Elmhurst, New York to further his career as a professional bass player. He played in locations such as Basin St. East, The Copa Cabana, and 92NY (92nd St. YMCA).

He continued his musical career in Winston-Salem performing Jazz music with local bands such as The Billy Bright Band and Melva Houston. Mr. Mason also has tenure at the Winston-Salem Symphony in which he played under the direction of Peter Peret at The Arts Council Theatre and War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro.

He was also a professional photographer and was included in a presentation at the 1964 New York World's Fair for E I Demours Dupont Chemical Company, displaying the latest technologies and advancements through a multi projector slide show he shot and created himself.

He was a computer systems analyst for Reynolds American for 15 years before retiring to open up his own consulting business for an additional 15 years. He was also a great handyman who could do plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and automotive maintenance. Mr. Mason also had a passion for model railroading and would spend hours on Saturdays at the former Salem Yard in Winston-Salem and Linwood Yard in Lexington, watching and learning how rail was operated. As an active member of Winston-Salem Southbound Model Railroaders, Inc. he would apply what he learned to model railroad setups. Mr. Mason was an all around 'man's man.' We love him and know that his work is finished and that the Lord has taken him to a better place.

He was preceded in death by his father, Orville W. Mason, Sr.; his mother, Nydia Thompson Mason; and his youngest sister, Judith V. Mason.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Kerlew Mason; son, Darryl Conley Mason; sister, Anne Mason Calloway; nephew, Les Calloway; great nephew, Kahlil C. Calloway; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, December 15, 2023 in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.