Clayton Lebron Mason lll
The funeral will be Saturday for Clayton Lebron Mason lll, a Howard High and Morehouse College graduate who had excelled as a teacher and was planning to run for City Council.
Mr. Mason, 25, was shot and killed in Brainerd on Tuesday of last week. Another person wound up being shot during the incident, but police have not given further details.
At Howard, he was active in the Talented Tenth Debate program and was on the track team. He played baritone sax in the band and was drum major.
He was also involved in track at Morehouse and was on the debate team.
After graduating from college, Mr. Mason returned home to begin his career as an English teacher and track coach. His family said, "Even though he had a heart for giving and a sincere love for the children that he taught, he chased possibilities of expanding his own education while focusing on the linguistic development of international students."
He studied abroad in Brazil for one year and was a teaching fellow at Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. His most recent accomplishment involved teaching English in Makassar, Indonesia. Upon his return to Tennessee, and with all that he ascertained through his international travels, he was adamant about changing the trajectory of his community and had decided to run for Chattanooga City Council, it was stated.
Mr. Mason was an active member of Rock Island Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and mentored the youth. He was described as "a leader in his community and an example to his students."
Public viewing will begin at 12 noon until 8:30 p.m. on Friday at John P. Franklin Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 12 noon on Saturday at Olivet Baptist Church. Interment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery. Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave.