Barry Mason

Barry Mason, 81, of Wheeling, WV, died on June 4, 2024. He was born on January 3, 1943, in Wheeling and was the oldest of three sons of the late Mary A. (Hartlieb) Mason and William C. Mason.
Barry grew up in South Wheeling, attended Webster School and later graduated from McKinley High School before volunteering to serve in the U.S. Army. After completing Army Basic training, he became an infantryman during his years of military service, June 22, 1961 to June 23, 1964, and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He became a skilled marksman with the M1 Carbine rifle. From September 1962 to January 1963, he was on the front lines of the Cold War, as he was stationed in West Berlin, Germany, an enclave of the Soviet occupation zone. As part of the 2nd Battle Group, 12th Infantry Division, he was deployed from Wildflecken, West Germany to West Berlin. During the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, he was one of several hundred American soldiers facing down thousands of Soviet troops stationed a hundred yards away from Checkpoint Charlie despite the fact that, "We were not given any ammunition, because the Army didn't want American soldiers to accidentally trigger World War III."
When his service ended, he returned to the Wheeling area, working as a shoe sales manager for Pic Way Shoes in Brookside, Ohio, 1964-67 and at L.S. Goods & Co. department store on Market Street in Wheeling, 1967-1980. He then worked in downtown Wheeling as a salesman at Topps for Men, 1980-81 and as a shoe sales manager at M.H.& M. Shoe Store, 1981-93. At L.S. Goods & Co., he enjoyed the opportunity to meet and interact with various celebrities that L.S. Goods & Co. contracted with to make appearances, including star college and NFL football players, like Archie Griffin and Rocky Bleier, the latter who played for Barry's favorite NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. While working, Barry attended West Liberty University (then West Liberty State College) at night, completing two semesters. He also completed clerical studies at the Human Resource Development Foundation, Inc., 1994-95. Starting in 1995 and for several years after that, he worked as a delivery driver for Goodwin Drug Co. on Main Street.
From 1994 until his death, Barry resided at the Windsor Manor high-rise apartment building where both his parents had also lived. His hobbies included walking, hiking, reading, watching West Virginia University and NFL football games on television, and crafting small scale models of military aircraft and naval vessels. Barry was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ in Wheeling, with his favorite church song being "Onward Christian Soldiers".
Barry is survived by his brother, Roger H.C. Mason; sister-in-law Debra (Price) Mason; nephew Scott Mason and his spouse Trish; great-nephews Avery and Rhett; great niece Hayden - all of Parkesburg, PA and niece, Pamela (Mason) Neeley; her spouse Clint; and great-nephew Wesley of Seymour, TN. He is also survived by his youngest brother, Jeffrey W. Mason; sister-in-law Deborah (Deitch) Mason; nephew Justin Mason - all of Waldorf, MD, and nephew Brian Mason of Rockville, MD, and some cousins.
A private interment of ashes will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15th and will include a military honor guard ceremony and be presided over by Pastor Terry Endsley of St. John's United Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in remembrance of Barry Mason to St. John's United Church of Christ, 41 - 22nd Street, Wheeling, WV 26003.