Remembering Otis Mason

The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center mourns the passing of Dr. Otis Alfonso Mason who transitioned on Tuesday, January 09, 2024.  Dr. Mason was a founder and  the president of the board of the Friends of Excelsior, Inc. which is now known as the Friends of Lincolnville.

Mr. Mason served as the first Black superintendent of St. Johns County School District where he was elected to office twice before the selection process was changed to an appointment rather than public election for the position. He served in that capacity from 1984 to 1992.

Otis Mason Elementary School is named after him and he often read to the students during visits to the school.

He was a 1946 graduate of Excelsior High School, he attended Florida A & M University and later New York City University. where he earned a Master's Degree. 

His 38 year education career was interrupted after only two years because he was drafted and did a tour of duty with the US Army during the Korean Conflict.  In May of 2022 he was bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Education by his alma mater FAMU.

Dr. Mason was the recipient of numerous honors over his lifetime for community service. He was honored as a Living Legend from the Lincolnville Museum along with his wife of 70 years, Myrtis in 2018. In addition to the Lincolnville board, he served on numerous boards including the Flagler Hospital Trustee Board, St. Johns River Water Management District Board, the Buckingham Smith Association, and St. Johns Welfare Federation.  He was a lifelong member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Beta Xi Boule Society.

Otis Mason’s Wake will be on Friday, January 26 at 5:30 PM at St. Paul AME. His Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, January 27 at 11:00 AM at Anastasia Baptist Church.