Dennis D. Mason

Dennis Mason, 78, born on March 24, 1945, in Canton, Ohio passed peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Oct. 22, 2023.

Dennis came to Florida as a young boy, he was a graduate of Lakeland Senior High. In 1966, he was drafted and was a Combat Medic in Vietnam till 1967. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and Army Commendation Medals. He was in the 27th Infantry Regiment and loved being a Wolfhound. “No fear on earth” is their motto. He lived it every day after his injury in Vietnam in July 1967. He was a 1972 graduate of USF, after teaching at his alma mater, Lakeland Senior High School where he was Dept. Head of Social Studies and Boys Tennis Coach, he left to create the Social Studies Dept. at George Jenkins High School. He taught for 37 years in Polk County. He was named Teacher of the Year at both schools and Polk County Tennis Coach of the Year at Lakeland Senior.

Den was a highly ranked wheelchair tennis player and played many Fridays in Tampa with his wheelchair friends. Some of his best times were playing wheelchair softball with the Rays softball team, many of them former tennis players. He was a loving devoted husband, a Hero uncle to his nephews, nieces, and friends. He will be remembered for his special smile, his laugh, his love of reading, and strength. The “Hulk” was an incredible man who never let his disability define him.

Den’s memorial service will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 at 11:30 am.

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle; father, Max; stepfather, Joe; stepmother, Virginia; sister, Judi; nephews, Mark, and Ron; niece, DeeDee. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Juliet; 1 brother and 5 sisters, Larry (Amy), Karen (Duane), Nancy, Wendy (Peter), Marianne (Gary), and Janet; 2 sisters-in-law, Unis (Albry), and Judy; and many nieces and nephews who thought he was the coolest uncle. They are: Wade, John, Barbra, Jackie, Kelly, Mike, Bryan, Dennis, Anthony, Kevin, Robbie, Kelly, Colleen, Teresa, Lisa, Jackie, Michelle, Brigette, Stevie, Joey, and James and many great nieces, great nephews and great great nephews.

We miss this wonderful, fun loving, special man and we will keep his memories close in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dennis can be made to The Army Historical Foundation for the benefit of the National Museum of the United States Army. P.O. Box 96281, Washington, D.C. 20090-6281. He loved this museum and was a member of their 1814 Society.