John Wesley Mason

Frankfort " Services for John Wesley Mason, 78 yrs., will be conducted from Good Shepherd Church at 9:30am Tuesday, July 3, 2012, with Reverend Don Karsner officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5-8pm at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Mason passed away Friday, June 29, 2012, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington. John was born in Lexington, Kentucky to Mary and John Mason Sr. on April 13, 1934. He played football as running back at Dunbar High School then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954. He served with honor and distinction in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was a member of the 311th Air Commando Special Forces team, received a medal of valor, was a defense social actions instructor, and retired from the military in 1975 with 25 years of services. John Mason earned a Bachelor�s degree in Liberal Studies and graduated Cum Laude with a Master�s degree in Counseling and Education from the University of New Hampshire. After the military, John dedicated the next 30 years of his life to public service and police work. He concluded his service as Chief of Police at Kentucky State University. He also served the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a community organizer where he contributed to those in need and youth services. During his military experience, John Mason became an expert in the Martial Arts. In 1975 he created the CHE-LU Martial Arts system where he gained national and international success as an instructor and trainer. He was a member of Camp Pleasant Baptist Church in Frankfort where he worshiped with his beautiful voice in song. Mr. Mason is loved by many and touched lives with his strength and honorable spirit. John was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Kappa Alpha Psi, a Kentucky Colonel, and Mason. His wife of 50 years, Roberta B. Mason, and two adult children, John W. Mason III and Sherry R. Mason, survive him. Delvin Hickerson, Brian Charry, Charles Montgomery, Timothy Hurt, Craig Sandborn, James Cunningham, and George Barnette will serve as Pallbearers. John W. Mason III and Sherry R. Mason will serve as their father's Honorary Pallbearers. Flowers are welcome, or expressions of sympathy may be made in John�s memory to St. Jude Children� Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home

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John Wesley Mason

April 13, 1934 - June 29, 2012