Rodney Mason Sr

Through the grace of Father God Almighty, Rodney Paul Mason Sr. entered this world on August 10, 1941, at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA.
Lovingly raised in Uptown New Orleans, he was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1959. He was a proud alumnus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music in 1964. As a member of Southern University's Marching Band, he played the Bb Flat Tuba. Playing the tuba and his membership in the marching band, a tight-knit community of high caliber musicianship, foreshadowed two of his lifelong passions: music and the community.
Mr. Mason's passion for music extended beyond his college years. After graduating from Southern, he began teaching the fundamentals of music to youth within the public school system. Later, he became a music therapist, working in Charity Hospital's psychiatric ward for twenty years. During this time, he also played the organ for several churches across the New Orleans area; he continued to express his musical talents and thereby played an integral role in setting a musical foundation for worshipping God. The churches include St. James Methodist Church, Hartzell United Methodist Church and Greater Bright Morning Star Baptist Church. The generation of musicians that he trained and fostered are currently leading musicians on both local and national platforms today.
In addition to his musical career, he served as a real estate broker in the city of New Orleans for twenty-eight years: first, at Prudential, and later, through his own real estate company, Rodney P. Mason Sr. & Associates. As a real estate broker, he was able to help many New Orleanians make their dream of home ownership a reality.
His passion for the community was given full expression when he joined the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club., Inc. in 1979. Over the course of Mr. Mason's forty-five years in this distinguished organization, he held various prominent roles. In 1980, he founded the Zulu Ensemble Choir. The Zulu Ensemble continues to perform faithful standards such as "Pass Me Not" and "Total Praise." In addition to being the ensemble's founder, he served as the organist and choir director. Mr. Mason also served in leadership roles such as Parade Marshall Chairman, Parliamentarian, and the role that he found personally most fulfilling: was serving Zulu Chaplain's office for sixteen years. Mr. Mason was chosen to join a select group of Hall of Fame members in the year 2000, having faithfully served Zulu for twenty-one years to that point, he also enjoyed his role as Float Captain of Zulu Tribal Chief Krewe for the past 13 years. Recently, it was his greatest honor to be able to nominate his namesake, Rodney Paul Mason Jr., for King Zulu 2025. Upon nominating his son, Mr. Mason summed up his own forty-five years of service and dedication to the organization quoting this scripture to his son, who is now King Zulu-Elect 2025: "Walk by faith, not by sight". (2 Corinthians 5:7)
As a faithful servant of God, current member of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, and understanding God's plan, Rodney Paul Mason Sr. was called home on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in the comfort of his home. He was preceded in death by his parents Millard Mason and Rena Paul Williams; his grandparents, Riley and Emma Gayles Mason, John and Orestine Aguillard
Paul. He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Janis B. Mason; his children, Deirdre M. Mason (Curtis), Adrena B. Harrison (Alvin), Rodney P. Mason Jr. (Kristen), and Johnathan P. Mason; his siblings, Sequonite Buggs (James), Riley Mason (Rosa Maria), David Mason (Terry), and Nancy Everheardt (Conrad); and his grandchildren Chelsea Harrison and Sydni Harrison.
It is our belief that his passion for music, commitment to the community, as well as his dedication to his family and faith, has set a profound example of how one person can use their gifts to impact the lives of others. This is the legacy of Rodney Paul Mason Sr.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Relatives and friends of the family are all invited to attend his Homegoing Celebration on Saturday, June 29, 2024, 10:00AM, at St. James Methodist Church, 1925 Ursuline Ave, NOLA. Visitation will be held from 9:00AM until the hour of service. Interment Private. A traditional jazz procession will take place immediately following the service. The procession will begin at the church on Ursuline Ave., then left onto North Miro, right onto Orleans Ave., proceeding up Orleans Ave to North Broad St., & disbanding at 732 North Broad St. (Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Inc.)
The family requests for anyone who Mr. Mason's life has reached to come and celebrate his homegoing. This includes all musicians, members of the Zulu SA&P Club, Officers/ Board members, students, classmates, clients and friends.