CLINTON, N.C. – A long-serving stalwart of the education and athletics community, Edward R. Mason, or “E.R.” as he was known by many, has passed away. Mason passed away on Thursday after months of health complications.
Mason served the students and communities of Eastern NC in many capacities from coach to athletic director, principal and School Board Chairman. He was born in Aberdeen, a graduate of Berkley High School before earning an undergraduate degree from Shaw University and a Masters’ Degree from East Carolina University.
Mason spent time as a coach and teacher in communities like Lillington, Garland and Clinton, where he coached JV Basketball, among other duties, before he found his way to White Oak High in 1970, where he was the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal. He returned to Clinton as Athletic Director and Associate Principal in 1997.
Mason served the NCHSAA as a member of the Board of Directors, serving on the NCHSAA’s Executive Committee during his time on the Board. He also was a member of the NCHSAA Scholarship Committee. Mason earned many NCHSAA awards including the 1998 region two Athletic Director of the year and was named as one of the “100 Administrators to Remember” as a part of the NCHSAA’s Centennial Celebration in 2013. Mason’s other professional awards include a 1989 Assistant Principal of the Year award for the State of North Carolina.
He has served on the School Board for Clinton City Schools for the last 14 years, including serving as the Board’s Chairman. In the 2016 School Board Election, Mason earned the most votes of any member seeking the office, garnering 36% of the votes cast in the election.
He is survived by his wife, Clementine Hayes, their sons and grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at Worley Funeral Home located at 639 Lisbon Street in Clinton, NC from 1-3:00 p.m. There will also be a visitation time on Tuesday, April 17 at First Baptist Church in Clinton, located at 900 College Street from 4-6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. in the Prestage Auditorium of Clinton High School with internment to follow at the Sandhill Cemetery in Clinton.
