Terrence Cloud Mason

Terrence Cloud Mason, loving father, talented photographer, and a recent retiree from a career in high tech, died at age 65 on November 12, 2020, in Austin after a long struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He never let his illness infringe on his close relationship with son, Elliot; his many visits with extended family and lifelong friends; or his love of reading, film (still and cinema), and an endless curiosity about life. Born in Pasadena, Texas, to Thomas Wilburn and Betty Mason, Cloud was the "middle" of three sons — Tommy, Terry and Teddy. As a high schooler, he began going by his middle name, "Cloud," his mother's maiden name and the perfect cool moniker in the Seventies to match his devilishly handsome good looks. Although he would later be known as the greatest risk taker of the three boys, Cloud refused as a toddler to leave his baby walker "on wheels" until long after his peers were walking. Years later, he would say he was just addicted early to finding "the fastest way to get around." If true, it would explain his later attraction to fast motorcycles and the ever quickening pace of developing computer technology. Cloud loved electronics from an early age. He had a secret lab in the family attic and eavesdropped on family conversations through his hidden microphones in ceiling air vents —hardware he had scavenged from old broken radios. After graduating from The University of Texas in Austin with a degree in computer science, Cloud embarked on a series of jobs in high tech with IBM, Tandem, Schlumberger. He retired from UT where he was respected for his expertise in IT support of the McDonald Observatory group. While he worked primarily from a small office in UT Austin's west campus, the year Cloud spent living and working in the shadow of the observatory, which hosts West Texas' famous "Star Watch parties," was one of his happiest. It provided him with the wide open spaces he craved, the beautiful shifting light and ethereal landscapes he captured so well in thousands of beautiful photographs, and bright stars to explore from his side of the giant telescope. He and former wife, Joni … his self-professed "angel" who cared for him throughout his illness until his passing, shared a deep love for their only child, Elliot — who in turn shares his father's love of music. Cloud, who played a mean saxophone and loved live music, from Little Feat to Miles Davis, took delight in his son's early affinity for the piano and more recent mastery of guitar. Cloud was blessed with a prodigious memory, a strong creative streak, and a love of travel. He treasured his adventures in Peru, Mexico, Canada, and his favorite place on earth, Big Bend National Park. Many of his travels in the early years were on the back of his Kawasaki 900 — the fastest street bike in America at the time. But he showed the wisdom to retire the motorcycle after flying off a hair pin curve on a road in Daniel Boone National Forest ending up 40 feet down the ravine. Cloud was predeceased by his parents Wilburn and Betty. He is survived by his son Elliot Cole Mason, his ex-wife Joni, his brother Tom Mason and wife Janis, all of Austin; and brother Ted Mason and wife Vicky, of New Braunfels. He was close to his two nieces, Mandi and Kate, and two nephews, Brazos and Hart. He also leaves behind a host of good friends and thousands upon thousands of striking photographic prints and negatives. A virtual memorial service is being planned for the near future.