OBITUARY Elvis Leonard Mason October 4, 1933 – December 24, 2018 Elvis L. Mason died on December 24, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and heart disease, which he faced with his great sense of humor and optimism. Joan Frances Baker Mason, his wife and devoted caregiver, was by his side when he passed away peacefully at home. He was 85 years old.
As a businessman, loving husband and father, Elvis was admired for his rigorous work ethic, uncompromising values, sage advice and a mischievous “stir the pot” sense of humor. No one could remain a stranger in his presence, thanks to his insatiable interest in learning people’s life stories and aspirations. He held a genuine interest in,and high regard for, those who rose above their life’s challenges and his own achievements have inspired many who knew him.
Elvis was born on October 4, 1933, in rural Vivian, Louisiana, where he attended elementary and high school. Soon after graduation, he joined the Army officer candidate class at Fort Benning, Ga. , ultimately rising to the rank of Captain.
During his Army days, Elvis was driven by a fierce desire to improve his language and writing skills. He spent much of his leave time at the library reading biographies and listening to recordings of historic speeches. After being honorably discharged, he earned an undergraduate degree in Economics from Lamar University, where he was President of his local fraternity, which ultimately became Alpha Tau Omega, was elected President of the Student Body and graduated with Honors.
Chosen for a Rotary Fellowship to study at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, Elvis completed graduate studies in International Economics. He graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. In 1982, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Lamar University.
Upon returning from Africa, Elvis married Joan Baker in Houston, TX, and they were happily married for 57 years. Their marriage began in Corpus Christi, TX, where Elvis worked for American General Insurance Company and where their first child, Ross Rhodes Mason, was born. Soon thereafter, Elvis accepted an offer in Beaumont, TX, to become Assistant to the President of 1st Security National Bank, Dr. John E. Gray.
Dr. Gray had been President of Lamar University when Elvis was a student there; he was a much beloved and respected man who became a wonderful mentor to Elvis in his banking career. Elvis would later found, and serve as Chairman of, the John E. Gray Foundation and the John E. Gray Institute at Lamar University, named in Dr. Gray’s honor. Two more children were born to Elvis and Joan in Beaumont, Gregory Ellis Mason and JoEllen Mason.
After several years organizing a bank holding company with 1st Security as its lead bank, Elvis became President and CEO. He received the Outstanding Young Man Award through the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, later elected its President and served as President of the Economic Development Foundation as well as the Beaumont Rotary Club. In Beaumont, Elvis and Joan developed lifelong friendships that enriched their lives immeasurably.
In 1974, Elvis was named Vice-Chairman of 1st International Bancshares and the family moved to Dallas. He served as President of 1st National Bank and, ultimately, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Interfirst Corp. , then the largest banking organization in Texas and the nation’s 15th largest commercial banking organization, with 65 subsidiary banks in Texas and total assets over $21 billion.
The corporation had significant international operations, including offices in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris. He was elected by the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to represent the Eleventh Federal Reserve District on the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve System. In 1984, Mr. Mason joined with Randy Best to create Mason Best Company, comprised of a distinguished group of partners, raising nearly $2 billion to invest across numerous industries, including oil and gas exploration, food, defense, business products and insurance.
He served as co-founder and Managing Partner from its formation in 1984, through its dissolution in October 1998. Elvis served numerous communities through many organizations and civic activities including serving as President, Dallas Citizens Council; President, Board of Trustees, St. Mark’s School of Texas; Chairman, Dallas Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization; and as a member of the Board of Regents of Lamar University. He was appointed Member of the Governor’s Task Force on Higher Education by Governor Bill Clements, then appointed Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Trust Fund by Governor Mark White.
He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York for more than 14 years and appointed Member of President’s Reagan’s Special Task Force on International Economic Sanctions Boycotts. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University. Elvis served as a member of the Board of Directors of Ocean Energy, Inc., Sedco, Texaco, Tracor, Lone Star Technologies, Associates Corporation of North America, American Eagle Group, Inc., Guaranty Bank, Perry Homes, San Jacinto Holdings & Safeguard Business Systems, Inc., Dallas Power & Light, State Fair of Texas, and Crow Holdings – Family Board.
Throughout his life, Elvis was regarded as a man of utmost integrity and humility, but also was funny and lovable to friends and family alike. His inquisitive nature and drive to reach his highest potential inspired others and fueled his life-long love for reading. He was active in First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and Chairman of the Foundation, and enthusiastically involved in supporting The Stewpot program for the homeless.
He and Joan loved to travel abroad and built treasured memories with 3 generations of Masons during family sojourns to Rayburn Lake in East Texas, Cuernavaca, México, Colorado, Utah, beaches of Florida, Georgia and Nantucket, Ray Hubbard sailing and numerous family gatherings at Hickory Hill Farm in Athens, Texas. Elvis passionately believed in education and worked tirelessly to provide res to his children, grandchildren and others who sought to learn and grow. He is survived by his wife, Joan Mason, siblings Ray Mason and Virginia Gewin, son Ross Mason, son Greg and spouse Charlene Mason, daughter JoEllen and spouse Tammy Mason, grandchildren Mason Dwinnell, Maggie and Cameron Mason.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alton and Ellie Mason and siblings A.C. Mason and Bertie Long. The Mason Family wishes to thank each of the following for their loving devotion and care for Elvis over the years: UT Southwestern Medical Center professionals, Reachout/Humana (JB Wage, Manyi Ketchen, Grace Ochuru, Tidankay Tehan, Kainos Phiri, Eleojo Umoche, Helen Wanjohi and Kimberly Williams) and Isabel and Alfredo Gonzalez-Chaparro. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life for Elvis Mason will be held February 2, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas.
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