Frank L. Mason was a business and civic leader who loved Mentone, Lookout Mountain

Frank LaFayette Mason passed away on June 18, 2024, at age 100. He was born May 7, 1924, to Ruth Jacobs Mason and Samuel LaFayette Mason. He was a lifelong resident of Birmingham and later Mentone, Alabama.

Mason attended Phillips High School, the University of Alabama, and Auburn University. In 1943, he joined the Naval Aviation program, where he flew the F6F Hellcat and was trained for aircraft carrier landings. His Navy experience birthed a love for flying and he piloted his own aircraft into his late sixties.

In 1948, Mason married Bess Powell Cooper and they had a wonderful marriage that lasted 59 years. They had two children, David and Ann.

In 2008, he married Betty Dominick Smith, who passed away after five years together. In 2013, he married Betty Aldridge Bostwick, and they enjoyed ten years together.

Frank L. Mason

In 1947, Mason and his father, Sam, started Southeastern Tool and Die Company, which in 1970 would become Mason Corporation, a national manufacturer of building products using aluminum and steel. He was actively involved in Mason Corporation until he retired in 1991. Aside from running a successful business, he was involved in numerous business, civic, and charitable organizations.

Mason served as Chairman of the Board of the Business Council of Alabama. He was a member of the State Ethics Commission of Alabama, and was Chairman of the Alabama Delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business In 1980 and 1986. In 1996, Mason was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.

In addition to his involvement with the business and the many organizations he served, Mason was actively involved in the Republican Party in Alabama and also nationally, beginning in 1956 as a candidate for Congress. He was a delegate for Ronald Reagan at the Republican National Conventions in 1976 and 1980.

Mason’s real passion, however, was his Little River Farm atop Lookout Mountain near Mentone. During his working career, he and Bess would spend most weekends there hunting, fishing, farming, and raising cattle. In 2009, Mentone became his permanent residence. He would often say, “There is no place I would rather be.”

Mason was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eunice Mason Walters, and his wives. He is survived by his son David LaFayette Mason (Marcia) and Ann Mason Chambliss (Russell), as well as his 6 grandchildren: Alan L. Mason, Russ Chambliss, Jr. (Rebecca), Sarah Beth Cain (Matt), Mary Margaret Chambliss, Jane Drennen (Daniel), and Frank “Beau” Chambliss (Mary Russell). His beloved great-grandchildren are Mary Elizabeth Cain, Julia Russell Chambliss, Russell William Chambliss, Ann Margaret Drennen, Matthew Scott Cain, Charlotte Etta Lee Chambliss, Charlotte Ann Chambliss, Daniel Felix Drennen, Alligood Carlisle Rogoff, Louis Frank Rogoff, William Edward Drennen, and Lucy Barboro Chambliss.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday June 25th at Canterbury United Methodist Church with visitation and reception at the The Country Club of Birmingham following. Services were under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood.

Mason’s family offers special thanks to his wonderful caregivers Brianna Rayford, Lakeitha Hicks, and Benjamin Lee.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Canterbury United Methodist Church, Grace Presbyterian Church in Ft. Payne, Alabama, or your favorite charity.