Barbara was a genius when it came to music, she loved John Phillip Souza. Some years after she had graduated the University of Phoenix she went to work for a high school named Legrand ( which she retired out of). She had suck a love and desire to have her students succeed. She had read this bulliten that state compitition was two months away and that the undefeated Modesto High would be up against any new competitors. So she signed Legrand up for the competition.

Nobody in the school played musical instruments other than a few notes but music wasn't very big there. The students consisted of 98%  mexican (lowrider, gang affiliated students) with 2% white population. She knew how to talk to her students and she was very much loved by all of them.

To pull this competition off she had 50 students sign up for band. A few music stores contributed instruments on donation. She had each student learn to play four notes da da da da and walk while playing those notes. Every other student played opposite notes from one another.

To make a long story short Legrand walked away with first place ribbon in the history of the school. Many of the competitions she signed them up for they walked away with first prize. So many students have wonderful stories about her. Barbara will be remembered for years to come. She touched many hearts and left her footprints there.

When Barbara Jean was five years old she and Letha, (her mother), lived in Tombstone Arizona  "The town to dead to be buried" she would tell me. She and her mother went shopping one day and her mom bought her a new pair of cowboy boots. After they left the store Barbara wanted to wear her shoes so her mom sat her down and put them on.

Later that afternoon Letha had to work (in the bar she owned on main street) and as a routine she had Barbara with her. Barbara used to have to sit in this tall chair just outside the bars main doors so her mom could keep an eye on her. Even at a young age she was brilliant.

As the first customer came toward the bar she would tell them  "hey mister see the beautiful new boots my moma got me"? The customer looked down and told her that such fine boots needed a quarter and he dropped a quarter in her boot. Well that got her little mind thinking.

That evening at 8pm when the bar closed Letha took Barbaras hand so they could walk home.  " Moma my feets hurt" she said looking up at Letha.   "what did I go and get the wrong size" she said as she sat her down to check her feet.

When she pulled off Barbaras boot she found $50.00 in quarters. Barbara had told everyone going into the bar that her mother bought her new boots, and that the man in the bar had slipped a quarter in her boots and said that fine boots deserve a quarter...  LOL

While I did not have the opportunity to know Barbara Jean Mason personally I feel a sort of spiritual connection to her. As I mentioned in my tribute to her my son Will is attending CSUN Northridge and will graduate next May with his Bachelors degree in Music. He is a very passionate classical guitarist and will find this site very interesting. He plans to continue on with his studies until he obtains him Masters degree. We have often wondered where he inherited his love of music and his wonderful talent.

What a beautiful Tribute to her much accomplished life.