The Revd Ron Mason: 1922-2013
Will be remembered as a very caring minister for whom pastoral work was a priority, as a preacher and bible teacher, and as a keen DIY man
Ron Mason was born on 15 November 1922, in Leytonstone, London, to Charlotte and Fred Mason. He was the second child of three children: Jim the eldest became a Baptist minister and died some years ago; Doreen the youngest lives in Canada.
The family moved to Bromley whilst Ron was a child. The family were not churchgoers but Ron started to attend church as a teenager and was baptised. He left school and trained as a tailor. He went on to Bible college and became a minister in Tower Bridge. He studied theology on a part time basis and gained a BD from London University. He made an application for accreditation and passed the BU exam. He met Gwen Crossley and they married in 1951.
In 1954 they moved to Birmingham where he was minister at Selly Park. He started some part time teaching and in 1962 taught at Rowley Regis and then took a post at Bartley Green Girls Grammar School, first as head of RE and then as head of middle school. Until 1980 he was honorary minister at Halesowen Baptist Church.
For three years he served the Birmingham and Black Country churches as a visiting preacher and moderator. In 1983 he became the moderator at Walsall Green Lane, and having retired from teaching, became their minister. He stayed until 2007, retiring aged 85 years, and accepting the title of Minister Emeritus.
Sadly, Gwen developed dementia and was admitted to a care home home in 2008 leaving Ron to live alone. In 2013 he had a long stay in hospital. He was discharged but was readmitted and died there in November 2013. The couple have three daughters, Philippa, Roxy and Naomi.
Ron will be remembered as a very caring minister for whom pastoral work was a priority, as a preacher and bible teacher, and as a keen DIY man. He serviced on the former WMBA committees, the South Staffs District and the BU Council. He was a keen member of his local ministers’ meeting.
David F Tennant
February 2014