Gary Eugene (Mason) Aycock Sr.'s Obituary
Gary Eugene (Mason) Aycock turned off the microphone, removed his headset and “signed off”
his earthly show Easter morning, April 1st, 2018, at 5:10am. Born in Galveston August 26,
1945, baby Gary arrived in Longview two months later, spending most of his life loving and
working to better the city and region he called home.
A 1963 Longview High School graduate, he held a broadcast degree from the Elkins Institute of
Technology, an FCC radiotelephone license and was an Air Force veteran, serving in the
Vietnam era. Best known as “Gary Mason”, a much loved air personality and foundational
member of the 1974 original KYKX 105.7 FM air staff, his greatest popularity came during the
1980’s. He was on KYKX when awarded “Small Market Radio Station of the Year” by the
Country Music Association, and named 1995 East Texas Radio Personality of the Year.
Though spending minor time at stations in Amarillo, at KYKS 105.1 FM in Lufkin, Texas; as well
as Colorado and Washington, Longview was home and where his heart remained. He worked
for the Osburn-Reynolds Group, KYKX original owners; for former Longview mayor J.R. Curtis,
KFRO original family owner; and Waller Broadcasting, who owned KOOI, KEBE and other East
Texas radio properties. Most recently, Gary was an advertising sales consultant for KZQX /
KDOK FM.
His rich baritone voice and tremendous heart tirelessly worked benefits across East Texas.
Once, he and a lone sponsor raised $60,000 in one night at the old Reo Palm Isle for a young
man with medical trouble.
At KYKX during the formation of the original Big Bass Classic, the “Hands On A Hardbody”
Truck Giveaway and the beginning of the Great Texas Balloon Race, Gary cherished engaging
in the annual “Toys for Tots” drive.
Heard most often in mid-day and afternoons, he had an irreverent “sidekick” called “Little
Dummy” that said things to evoke humor and even mild controversy. Despite his booming
on-air persona and gifts, much of his talent was invested behind the scenes as a Production
Director, creating and producing commercials for hundreds of advertisers.
Gary loved God, golf and his family. In recent years, his intimacy with his savior Jesus Christ
grew faster than his golf handicap, and he relished the joy that relationship brought him.
He credited his loving wife of 40 years, Carla, with “literally saving my life” at a time when he
readily admitted he “was a bit off course”. He told a friend just a short time ago, “I have no idea
what my life would have been if Carla hadn’t married me”.
He had a nickname for everyone, including himself, which was “Bonehead”. His wife, he called
“Monkey Face”. His mother-in-law, whom he loved and cherished as much as any real mother,
he named “Gorilla”. She responded by calling him “Apehead”. Other names like “Jaws” and
“Mouth” and “G-Man” or his wife’s abbreviation of his first name Gary, just “Gar”, could be heard
in reference to this big-hearted giant.
He was also a licensed catastrophic insurance adjuster, but found it difficult to see people lose
their homes and livelihoods. His compassion overwhelmed him while working with those
suffering from disaster.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and his beloved mother-in-law. He is
survived by wife Carla, his grown children, three cousins, four sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law,
multiple nieces and nephews, an endless list of cherished friends and decades of loyal listeners.
As Gary would “sign off” his show, his usual au revoir was, “Remember, what’s the use of living
if you can’t have any fun. What’s the use of loving if you can’t love everyone.”
Visitation is Wednesday evening, 6-8pm at The Chapel Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Road, Longview.
A celebration of life memorial service under the family’s direction will be held at First Assembly of God, 2900 N. 4th Street, Longview,
will be Thursday at 1pm, with Pastor Edgar Ayala officiating. Interment at Memory Park Cemetery, 2823 E. Marshall Ave, Longview will follow at 2:45pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Gary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gary?
Share a story where Gary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gary you’ll never forget.
How did Gary make you smile?
