William Jermaine Mason

William “Jermaine” Mason was a gentle giant not only in his 6ft 7inch height but also in his enormously huge heart. He would help anyone with pretty much anything. He was affectionately given/called by a few names, Mr. Pooper which was eventually shortened to just Poop given to him by his Grandfather of whom he was named after; his middle name Jermaine that the rest of his family called him and Will by those he was associated or acquainted with and a few close genuine friends.

Jermaine united with and regularly attended Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ (under the Founder & Pastorialship of the late Bishop W.B. Henderson) as an infant and through most of his adult life on a regular basis with his Grandmother. During those years “Jermaine” was extremely active and involved in several ministries at the church such as Youth Choir, Children’s Church, Sunday School, Annual Harvest Carnival, Annual Church Cookout, etc. In most recent years he attended 35th St. Baptist Church (Pastor Ronald Black); while attending there he played drums, assisted with the upkeep of the church grounds along with a few other things. Attending church, being around family – those he loved, is where he found the most peace.

Jermaine received his elementary and middle education from St. Monica Catholic school. He attended Bishop Hogan High school his freshman, sophomore and part of his junior year. He also attended the Metro Tech apprentice Carpentry program. He completed his education by receiving his G.E.D. later in life of which he, his Grandparents and family were most proud of this accomplishment.

Jermaine played soccer, baseball and basketball while in school and was on a few teams outside of school and was even a Boy Scout for a few years. He had a love for football, wanted to play and had an excellent throwing arm for it but only played for fun per his Grandmother’s instruction, LOL!!! He also attended dance school – YES dance school. Reason being is because the coach told his Grandmother that it would help with his coordination while playing soccer so into tap and jazz classes he went and boy did it help – they hated to see him get the ball. The time playing soccer was short lived (he didn’t care for it much) but he was GOOD at it. He then went on to play baseball for years at 3&2 Baseball Club for Shelbys. He was one of their best pitchers, hitters and any field position they would place him at. His coaches and teammates (not so much the opponents of course) loved it when he was up to bat because it was guaranteed to be a base hit or homerun and when pitching, somebody if not every hitter would strike out. Now the sport that he really LOVED to play the most was basketball and boy could he play! He would play at school, at church, around the neighborhood – he kept a basketball in his Grandmother’s car at all times and if he was with his Grandfather he took it with him. Wherever there was a basketball goal, he was going to play with whomever was there or by himself.

There was a time when he and his boy cousins were under the street light outside of their Great Grandmother’s house (the late Mattie C. Mason) on 62nd & Wabash playing a friendly game of neighborhood basketball with some other boys. One of the boys was a little upset because of course “The Cousins” were whooping the socks off of them. He said to Jermaine “you think you good and all that don’t you?!!!” Jermaine politely said “no, I just like to play.” The boy then replied – “well I bet you can’t make the basket from across the street.” All “The Cousins” just looked and shook their heads. Jermaine said in a very humble tone “I can hit it from the yard on my knees across the street.” He did just that and the game was definitely over! Needless to say, when it came to the game of basketball, he was hardly ever or never challenged by anyone that knew or heard about his skills in basketball.

Jermaine also had a love for fishing and of course eating them too, it’s a family thing – especially if you were part of Mattie C. Mason’s bloodline. He loved to eat and could EAT! He never wasted any food and would always top it off with any flavor diet soda and water, but this was after the second round.

Jermaine worked several different jobs throughout his lifetime, mainly laborer, carpentry or handyman. He even tried his hand at working in the HVAC field. His favorite was lawn work – any type, any time and even snow removal. He also started his own business for a short time and titled it Mason’s Lawncare, Snow Removal & Moving Services. He liked using his hands to work and was very good, gifted and talented with it. He just loved helping others whenever he could especially his Grandparents.

Jermaine loved his family and will be greatly missed in more ways than one for several reasons.

Memories of William Jermaine will be forever cherished and in the hearts of:

His mother – Carol Mason (Kansas City, MO); his father Derick Allen (Minden, Louisiana); siblings – Sharita Hannah, Ronald Hannah, II (both of Kansas City, MO); Natalya Allen, Mkala Allen, Taneishia Allen, Dkyra Allen and Tkyra Allen (all of Minden, Louisiana) maternal Grandparents – William L. & Palmer L. Mason, whom he affectionately called Daddy & Momma; a very special cousin who was more like a brother Alonzo Crawford, II (Booney) and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.