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James Saasta Obituary
JAMES MATTI SAASTA
Mar. 8, 1963 – June 21, 2009
James Matti Saasta, aka "Hollywood", 46, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2009.
James was born to Bryan and Laura Saasta on March 8, 1963 in San Francisco, CA. He attended Hedrick, Wilson and Central Union High School. He started working at his family business, Saasta's Chevron on 4th St. in El Centro. James was the manager of Saasta's Chevron when he passed away. James loved the desert, and started racing in the Fudpucker Racing Series near Plaster City. In 1985 his father, Bryan Saasta went out to the desert to watch James race. Dad said, "that looks easy", and the son said "nah dad you are too old". Dad started racing against James that same year. In 1987, James and his dad won their class in the Score Parker 400 race. They teamed together on the Saasta Chevron Off Road Race Team. Together they raced the Score Baja 500 and the Score Baja 1000 three times. Fud (Fudpucker) the race promoter nicknamed James "Hollywood". If James saw a photographer on the race course, he would turn around to make sure that he got his picture taken. James and his father drove superlites. James designed and fabricated three cars. You could recognize him by his race helmet as he looked like a "Space Alien". James was always making something, his latest projects were a teardrop trailer, for family camping and a mother's day gift, a kitchen island on wheels for his mother. James was active at First Christian Church, doing whatever needed to be done. He was very outgoing and could not help but make you laugh.
James is survived by Marvel Cox of El Centro, whom he married February 2, 1991; his father, Bryan Saasta; his mother, Laura Saasta of El Centro; his sister, Dawn Saasta of Sunnyvale, CA; his son, Jordan Saasta, 24, of Chula Vista; his son, Michael who is starting Southwest High School; daughter, Mirella, who is going to Hedrick; his aunt, Yvonne Kitchen of Talent, Oregon; and his cousins, Diane Kitchen of Gainsville, Florida and Michael Kitchen of Charlotte, South Carolina.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church at Heil and Waterman in El Centro.
Donations can be made to LESSAR (Los Exploradores Search and Rescue), the group that volunteers and provides medical assistance at the off-road races in Imperial Valley, in James name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Saasta
John & Carol Ryfa
July 23, 2009
Bryan, Laura and family,
Carol and I are sorry for your loss. James was a heck of a kid and was always willing to help at the drop of a dime! Every time I pulled into the gas station, he made me laugh.
Ray Polo
July 23, 2009
I am so glad that I got to see James and say hello on my last trip to El Centro. I am still in the throes of realizing that a good man has left us. James was an even keeled man yet had a great, great sense of humor and a good and strong sense of self.
Kim Niemela
July 9, 2009
May your family have peace knowing James is with Fud looking down upon you during this difficult time. His smiling face will be missed.
Cami and Jeff Sturdevant
July 6, 2009
The memory of James leading 10-13 little boys through Vacation Bible School will always be a fond memory of mine! He worked so well with those kids, and he loved them all. He will be missed. Your family is in our prayers. Love You!!!
Monica Soucier
July 2, 2009
May the Lord guide your hearts to healing during this time of difficulty for the only ones that suffer are those that are left behind. Marvel, the Soucier's are lifting you and yours in pray each and everyday! We love you!
Vicky Scoggins
July 2, 2009
Bryan, Laura and Jordan I am so sorry to hear about James. May you find comfort and strength to get through the days ahead. Love and may God Bless.
Shorty and Rowena Roney
July 2, 2009
We are so sorry for your loss. James was like one of ours.Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the family. We have lots of good memories.
July 1, 2009
Bryan, Laura and Jordan I am so sorry to hear about tha loss of James. May you find strength and comfort to help you through this time of sorrow.
Walt Gabler
June 30, 2009
It was a shock to hear of the sudden passing of James. We had some great times. My sincere condolences to his family. We will miss you James. God be with you.
Kirk Marler
June 30, 2009
sorry about your loss he was a good man and friend
June 30, 2009
To family and friends of James. No words can say how sorry I am in your loss. Such a shock when someone so young goes. May God help you find peace. From your desert races long ago. Loretta Pipkin
ron schoors jr.
June 29, 2009
sorry to hear about the loss of james. my prayers go to all the saasta family.
Vicki Neumann
June 29, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
DUKE HIXSON E.C.P.D.
June 29, 2009
James was a very special guy who was dedicated to helping his customers. I send my sympathy to the family and all his friends who will surely miss him.
Monike & Kayla Bustamante
June 29, 2009
My daughter and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr.James the week of VBS. He was our crew leader. My daughter and I spent the entire week there. Mr.James was very loving and caring with the children. My 7 year old daughter was heart broken when she heard the news at church.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are so saddened for your loss. God bless you!
June 29, 2009
Bryan,Laura,Marvel and extended family,
We are so saddened by your loss of James. May the Lord give you strength and may you remember the happy times to help you get through the coming days.
James n Debi Gray
Henry Nusi
June 28, 2009
Marvel and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please accept our condolences.
Dan & Vicky Sedano
June 28, 2009
Dear Saasta Family, our prayers are with you. James was a kind and generous person. We feel very sorry for your loss. May God give you the strength to endure this challenging time. You are in our thoughts, with sympathy, Sedano Family
Brenda Burch
June 28, 2009
Bryan and Luara and Marvel and kids, You all are in my thoughts. We had so many great times with James at the station and during our high school years. The times at the station and all the "Fud" races are so wonderful. James you will always be loved but "Never Forgotten". Rest in Peace "Hollywood" We all love you
jo bishoprick
June 28, 2009
james you will forever be in my heart. i will miss you lots, all the funny times at work and at the races. keep a watch over all of us. we all love and miss you so much.
LaMadrid Family
June 28, 2009
Our sons Branden and Jason are also fellow students and friends of Michael. We are very sorry for the loss of James. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Shiroma/Morales Family
June 27, 2009
Our daughter was a fellow student at Hedrick and in the Wilson Orchestra with Michael.James was always there with his family helping and volunteering with a smile. A real friendly guy. We want to express our sympathy to your family. Our thoughts are with you.
lori roney
June 27, 2009
We are so sorry to hear about James.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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