Nathaniel Mason Jr., pillar of the community

Nathaniel Mason Jr., nicknamed Red Bean and Sonny Boy, 87, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, peacefully in his home in Oakland, after a brief illness.

Nathaniel was the eldest son and was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in a three room cottage. He was the son of Ida Spooner Mason and Nathaniel Mason Sr., who worked at the Standard Oil Co. as a laborer.

The most important lesson Nathaniel learned from his parents was “have respect for your elders and get your education because that’s the only way you will get ahead in life.”

Throughout his life, Nathaniel worked as a school teacher, a postman, a sheriff for the City and County of San Francisco, a police officer for the City of San Francisco, and Head Start director for the City of San Francisco, to name a few.

Throughout his career, Nathaniel was also very active in community affairs, including as chairman of the board of the Martin Luther King and Marcus Garvey Square Cooperative, Inc.; chairman, Client Council of the S.F. Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation; California Affirmative Action Council; San Francisco Unified School District Affirmative Action Committee; vice chair, Labor and Industry Committee of the NAACP and member of its Publicity Committee; chair, Voter Education Committee and member, Political Action Committee of the San Francisco Black Leadership Forum; director of the Economic Opportunity Council of San Francisco, president of the NAACP San Francisco Chapter, and he was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Nathaniel Mason Jr., nicknamed Red Bean and Sonny Boy, 87, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, peacefully in his home in Oakland, after a brief illness.

He is survived by a host of family and friends.

Nathaniel lived his life to the fullest and he did it his way! We will miss his caring, loving and strong personality, and may he rest in peace.

Quiet hour will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bay View Funeral Chapel, 5187 Third St., San Francisco, CA 94124, 415-683-7323.

Homegoing services will be held Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, 11 a.m., at Third Baptist Church, 1399 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94115, 415-346-4426.

Internment is Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, 11 a.m., at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620.

Nathaniel lived his life to the fullest and he did it his way! We will miss his caring, loving and strong personality, and may he rest in peace.

Cards, condolences and flowers should be sent care of Dan Scales at Alta Vista Cremation and Funeral Service, 107 W. Eighth St., Pittsburg, CA, 925-439-5922.