Born Jan. 27, 1935, in Springfield, Mass., John Mason had a distinguished, 20-year career in the U.S. Army before retiring as a colonel in 1976. His service included two tours in Vietnam, plus a follow-on command tour with the 5th Battalion, 68th Armor, 8th Infantry Division. His final assignment was as Assistant Director, Operations and Readiness, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, at Department of the Army Headquarters at the Pentagon.
After his retirement, Mason worked in the private sector as vice president of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) and director of the Transportation Policy and Analysis Center. As a politician, he served on the Fairfax City Council from 1986-1990 and was the City’s mayor from 1990-2002.
In addition, he was executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and president and CEO of the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. Mason also served on the boards of several organizations.
These included the American Red Cross, National Capital Area Chapter; Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area Council; Fairfax Symphony; Arts Council of Fairfax County; Fall for the Book Festival; and Mason Housing Inc. at George Mason University. In addition, he chaired the national board of the American Metropolitan Planning Organization.
* Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, at 11 a.m., at Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Ave. in Fairfax.