Fred Douglas Mason, 80 of Philadelpha, Pa formerly of Charlotte, passed away on July 5, 2019.  He was the son of the late Ella Woods and the late Luther Mason and was born in Mecklenburg County, September 13, 1938.

Fred graduated form Plato Price High School with the class of 1957.  He met his high school sweetheart Melvin Geneva Reid while there as a student.  He was married to Melvin on July 10, 1959.  They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this July 10, 2019.  To this union seven children were born.  This included a set of twins and a set of triplets!

In his early years in Charlotte, NC, Fred attended Gethsemane Baptist Church and was a Masonic brother at Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons of N.C., the Unique Lodge #85.  Fred currently resided in Philadelphia, Pa where he was formerly the president of the United Gents.  He managed many trips to Maryland crab feasts, Atlantic City, NJ, Clementon Amusement parks and other social events.

Fred was a hardworking husband and father that always "strived to keep a roof over their head". Work ethics was everything to Fred.

He held several job positions after high school but eventually set out on a longtime career in the world of aviation.  He joined Eastern Airlines in the catering division at a time when "real" meals were still being service on flights.  Fred made sure that your in-flight steak was juicy and your mashed potatoes were seasoned just right.  Fred loved to cook and enjoyed his airline assignments.  He even took some flying lessons in his younger daring years but he soon learned that his nervous stomach belonged in the kitchen.  In 1969 Fred soon had a promotion opportunity to transfer to Philadelphia, PA to work for Eastern Airlines catering group as one of their first black supervisors.  He moved his family and dared to start a new venue in a strange place.  When Eastern Airlines went out of business, Fred soon landed with United Airlines.  After forty years serving the airline catering services Fred retired from United Airlines in 1995.

If you know Pop Pop Fred, then you know that after retirement he spent his free time helping to coach, raise and bake for his grands and great grands.  He spent his retired years taking time to smell the roses, watching "Family Feud", the soap operas, all types of westerns, and loving his grand kids! He joked with them, gave them wisdom, and gave them "in your face" guidance, when asked.  He could be as serious as you needed him to be or as silly as you needed him to be.

Fred is survived by: his wife, Mrs. Melvin Reid Mason of Philadelphia, PA; three sons, Fredrick Mason of Rock Hill, SC, Millman Mason of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Guan VanCliff of Philadelphia; six daughters, Angela Whittington (Corbin) of Chapel Hill, NC, Bridget Palmer of Jacksonville, FL, Freda Mason of Charlotte, NC, Menissah Bailey (Jeremy)of Folcroft, PA, Melanie Spearman (Jeffrey) of Charlotte, NC and Joyce Elaine Murray of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, Donald Woods (Clara), and Walter Woods (Joyce); three sisters, Louise McGill, Delores Grier (Lester) and Julia Polk all of Charlotte, NC; thirty-one grandchildren fifteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.