Garland Wayne Mason

Garland Wayne “Coach” Mason of Levelland, and formerly of Sundown, passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, June 22, 2025. He was 88.

Wayne was born on November 11, 1936, to Garland Odell and Sybil Mason. He graduated from Aspermont High school in 1954 and went on to play baseball at Texas Tech University for one year. He transferred to McMurry University where he graduated with his Bachelors in Education. He finished his education at Abilene Christian University with his Masters in Education. He began his coaching career in Moran, Texas, coaching 6-man football, and would go on to coach in his hometown of Aspermont, before going on to Pecos. He came to Sundown in 1964, coaching Jr. High girls’ basketball and track until he retired in 1990.

He met Carolyn Renfro while they were both working for Sundown ISD. They married in May of 1980, blending their two families together.

Wayne’s passion was coaching. He loved all sports, but Jr. High girls’ basketball and track held a special place in his heart. He was never a sideline coach. He got out on the court or the track and showed the girls how to do the plays he was teaching. He was a hard coach and demanded perfection, but his girls never had to wonder if he loved them as a team. His love for the game, any game, was who he was as a person. If he wasn’t coaching, he was watching a game on TV or live. He was a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. Because back then you either rooted for the Atlanta Braves or the Chicago Cubs, and he refused to root for the Braves. He had a teachers’ heart. He was always willing to help someone learn and better themselves.

He was the last surviving member of his family. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Mason of Levelland; his son, Shawn (Stacy) Mason of Wolfforth; his daughters Jill Gentry of Keller and Jennifer Wilson of Levelland; his granddaughter Haley (Tyler) Carson and their two daughters Aubrey and Avery of Wolfforth; his grandson Richard Hamby of Levelland.

The family will be having a time of visitation only at Krestridge Funeral home in Levelland on Friday, June 27,2025 from 6:00 - 8:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch at www.calfarley.org

Services with integrity, pride, and honor are under the direction of Krestridge Funeral Home. (806) 897-1111