Henry S Mason

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Henry’s Livestream Service will begin at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

*When attending services, please only enter through gate 10 on Breese Terrace and wear your favorite Badgers gear. *

FITCHBURG - Henry Smith "Bubba” Mason, age 69, passed away in Fitchburg, Wis., on April 10, 2026, from pancreatic cancer. Henry faced his medical challenges with stoicism and a fierce but quiet determination. He was a fighter on the football field and in life. Henry was born on August 6, 1956, in Marshall, Mo., to Henry and Charlotte (Smith) Mason. Henry was a gifted athlete like his father and shared his parents’ deep faith in God.

Henry graduated from Marshall High School in Marshall, Mo., in 1974. He played trombone in his high school band. While attending the University of Central Missouri, Henry was a member of the Christian Athletes Organization. At UCM, Henry was a two-time honorable All-American member in football and two-time first team All-MIAA selection in baseball and was inducted in the University of Missouri Hall of Fame in 2003. He held the school record for the longest touchdown reception in school history of 89 yards in 1975 and was second in school history for the number of receptions. Henry graduated with a B.S. in Education from UCM in 1979.

Henry was drafted by the Baltimore Colts as a wide receiver in 1978 and later by the St. Louis Cardinals. He began his coaching career in 1979 as assistant head coach at Lexington High in Missouri for two seasons. He then served as assistant coach at Baker University in Kansas in 1981 and served as head coach for Smith-Cotton High School in Missouri from 1985-90 while also teaching physical education and drivers’ education. As head football coach at Smith-Cotton he recorded the first winning season in 13 years. Henry coached wide receivers at Western Michigan University from 1991-94. Henry became a wide receivers coach and later associate head coach for the Wisconsin Badgers from 1995-2007 before suffering a spinal cord injury from a fall. After a lengthy recovery, Henry transitioned to a front office position in 2009, working with NFL personnel and high school coaches. Henry played an integral role in the resurgence and continued success of Badgers football on the field and behind the scenes for almost three decades. He is credited with recruiting and coaching some of the Badgers’ all-time great wide receivers. In addition to coaching, Henry worked to further diverse relationships on campus, in the community, and with the Black Coaches Association.

Henry was first and foremost a gentleman. He was a mentor, a storyteller, and an engaging speaker. Henry was supported in his career and in life by his loving wife, Debbie. Their devotion lasted over 40 years. He credited his comeback recovery from his almost total paralysis to her. Henry was a devoted son. He talked with his mother every night at five. That is who he was.

Henry was preceded in death by his father, Henry; his mother, Charlotte; brother, Charles; grandparents, Harold and Ellen Smith; and his great-aunt, Lucille and great-uncle, Gunther Lawrence. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Deborah (Maxwell); his mother-in-law, Lou Frances Maxwell; brothers-in-law, Joel Maxwell and Donald Maxwell (E.T.); niece, Hope Mason; and many other relatives and cherished friends.

A celebration of life will be held at VICTORY HALL, CAMP RANDALL STADIUM, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with a memorial service beginning at 3 p.m. Please only enter through gate 10 on Breese Terrace and wear your favorite Badgers gear. Family and friends who wish to view his memorial service via LIVESTREAM may visit Henry’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section.

Special thanks to Dr. Sam Lubner and Dr. Aric Hail, to the UW Physical and Occupational Therapy Department, Complete Care Rehabilitation Facility, and Agrace HospiceCare for all their devoted care.

Rest in peace, Coach. You have left a legacy.

"And now, these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love."

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002