James A. Moran

James A. Moran
April 19, 1924 - March 24, 2013
Resident of Pleasanton
Born and raised in Oakland to John Patrick Moran and Mary Catherine McKenna. Preceded in death by his parents, wife of over 60 years Georgette, daughter Catherine, brothers Jack, Walter, Bud, Bob and sisters Florence, May and Violet and her husband Bill. He is survived by his son James (Mickie) and daughter Robin, three grandsons James, Jeffrey and Brandon. And one very special great grandson Jameson, who saved his great grandfathers life 3 years ago with just his presence.
Dad graduated from Roosevelt High School in Oakland as the Student Body President and was an All City and All County athlete for two straight years in both baseball and basketball.
His greatest achievement in High School was meeting his future wife Georgette who he married in 1947.
After receiving many scholarship offers he decided on the University of Santa Clara to stay close to home. His career at Santa Clara was interrupted by the war and he became a pilot in the Navy at Purdue University. He was stationed in New York for 18 months where he worked out with the Yankees and Giants when he was not on duty.
After the war he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and played in their farm system. One of his stops was in Williamsport right next to the Little League complex that is still in existence today. The commissioner of baseball determined that a group of players had been drafted incorrectly and released from their contracts and Dad was one of them. He signed with the San Francisco Seals and played there from 1948 thru 1955 and during that time played half a season with the Oakland Oaks whose manager was Mel Ott. In 1949 he was selected to a team led by Lefty O'Doul that played a 17 day Good Will tour to Japan at the request of General MacArthur to improve relations with Japan after the war. During his career with the Seals he was the Captain of the team, was selected an All Star, was voted the Most Popular player by the general public and was awarded a car and he set many league records in fielding and hitting. Near the end of his career he turned down a three year contract offer with the Boston Red Sox and the opportunity to be a Professional umpire to spend more time with his family. During the 1953 off season he started selling cars for Lloyd A Wise Oldsmobile in Oakland. He was successful selling cars and within a few years after retirement from baseball he was appointed Sales Manager of the dealership. In 1968 he bought Fidelity Oldsmobile in Berkeley.
After three years of turmoil that included BART tearing up Shattuck Ave, riots that tore down the front of the dealership and a strike at GM that stopped production of cars, he decided to sell the dealership.
Because Oldsmobile wanted to keep him as a dealer, they awarded him an Oldsmobile franchise in the city of Fremont. Many of the employees enjoyed working at the Berkeley dealership so much that they quit and became part of the original crew in Fremont. After 21 years in business he sold the Oldsmobile franchise and became a car Broker. He also worked part time for Signer Buick Cadillac for 13 years.
He then decided to retire to enjoy his family. He always said "I'd rather be lucky than good". He was a good man with Irish charm-we strive to continue his legacy.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 2, from 5-8pm with a Vigil at 6:30pm at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 3, 11am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, CA.
In lieu of flowers the family would prefer a donation to dads favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or online at www.stjude.org or by phone at 1-800-877-4159.