Tech Hall of Fame quarterback Gordon Mason dies

By TTU Sports Press

August 13, 2003

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Former Golden Eagle quarterback Gordon Mason, who was inducted into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, died on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital following complications of heart transplant surgery. A memorial service for Paul Gordon Mason, 65, of Birchwood, Tenn., will be held at noon on Saturday, Aug. 16, at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 900 Clingan Ridge Dr., Cleveland, Tenn. (423) 476-8123.

He was born on June 13, 1938, in Tennessee to the late Paul and Virginia Mason.

Mason was a former All-American quarterback and long-time high school football coach in the East Tennessee area. After a stellar football and basketball career at Roane County High School in Kingston, he received a scholarship to play football at Tennessee Tech University. Mr. Mason was a stand-out quarterback for TTU, gaining All-American honors and leading the Eagles to the Tangerine Bowl his senior season. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears of the National Football League following his senior season in 1961.

Mr. Mason coached at Oliver Springs High School for two years before returning to TTU as a graduate assistant to receive his master's degree in school administration. Over the next 25 years, he taught and coached at many high schools throughout the East Tennessee area, including Rockwood, Brainerd, Chattanooga Central, Soddy-Daisy, Notre Dame and Ooltewah. He retired from coaching and teaching in 2001.

Mr. Mason enjoyed golfing, fishing and working on his farm in Southeast Tennessee.

His family includes his wife of 28 years, Pat Mason of Birchwood; four sons, David Mason of Powder Springs, Ga., David Jones of Chattanooga and Michael and Paul Mason, both of Birchwood; a daughter, Jeannine Jones of Birchwood; two grandchildren, Zachary and Samuel Mason, both of Powder Springs; and family members in Kingston and Nashville.