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John Masterson Obituary
He was President and Founding Member of the El Cien Dance Club and served on the Ventura Grand Jury in 1969. He was a founding member of the Ventura College foundation and was deeply involved with local school sports serving as President of the Ventura College Booster Club, Chairman of the Ventura County Stanford Buck club and founding member of the St Bonaventure Booster Club. He was a great supporter of the Ventura Boys and Girls club and he was a member of the Ventura Boy Scouts council.
John was also a published writer. He wrote a column for the Star Free Press "Wheels" section for 10 years winning "Best Business Column" from The L.A. Press Club in 1993. He was a member of the Greater Los Angeles Press Club and the Motor Press Guild and contributed pieces to various automotive publications. In addition, he wrote an occasional piece for the Santa Paula Times on the theater called "Masterson on Stage". He was a Board member of the Santa Paula Theater Center.
John pursued his love of the theater, appearing on stage in over 25 productions in Ventura, Santa Paula and Camarillo. He was versatile - taking parts in musicals, drama and comedies. It didn't matter if he was the lead or in the supporting cast (but he liked to be the lead.)
John produced the weekly Western Automotive Consultant (WAC) report. He was Executive Director of the Ventura Auto Mall Dealers Association and spent 5 years on KVTA radio hosting "Auto-Talk" with Ross Olney as his partner.
John was also an avid Cruiser. He and Judy took over 60 cruises together with highlights being a family cruise through the Panama Canal that included his mother and father. This passion for cruising led to the establishment of a new business, "Capt'n Cruise Travel" where he wrote a monthly Travel Newsletter and sponsored Cruises.
John is celebrated by wife Judy, children Janna, Jeff and his love Kelly Collins, Julia and husband Michael Martin, Mark and wife Jennifer. He loved his grandchildren Damien Masterson, Hannah Martin, Jack Tovey, Bethany Martin, Kate Tovey, Cooper John Masterson, his dear sister Marilyn Kisch and his many nieces and nephews. We are all fortunate to have had this amazing man in our lives and suspect his many friends feel the same.
A celebration of his life is planned from 4:00 ? 6:30 on Friday February 9th at the Saticoy Country Club.
For those who desire, donations can be made in memory of John to the Community Memorial Hospital Building Fund for which he worked tirelessly. Make Checks payable to "Community Memorial Health Systems Building Fund. 2674 E. Main St Suite #210, Ventura, CA 93003.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Masterson
Sponsored by Neptune Society - Santa Barbara.
Vince Howlett
April 24, 2018
Very sorry to hear this. We very much enjoyed meeting you folks when you came to Victoria, BC
Barbara Meister
February 14, 2018
Dear Judy & family,
Please accept my deepest and sincerest sympathy upon the loss of your amazing husband, father and grandfather. May his memory be a blessing.
With love,
Barbara Meister
Cedric Emery
February 12, 2018
John and I go back quite a ways. We met in 1956 at the ATO house at Stanford. He was a wonderful fraternity brother, older and wiser than me. One winter we went with a large group to Sun Valley, skiing, and I remember it as if it were yesterday, John skiing down the exhibition (execution) run. He was exuberant, yelling, having a wonderful time, as he entered the tree line, not to be seen for 10 more minutes.
In 1958, he was a Disc Jockey in Reno, Nevada and would wake up the city inhabitants on his ukulele. We skied there also at Reno Bowl.
In 1959, I bought my first VW bus from John's car dealership in Ventura, and I fixed it up with a kitchen, bed, propane, et cetera, and took short camping trips around Southern California. In 1960, John and I drove up to Squaw Valley and slept in the VW bus every night in the parking lot to watch the Olympic venues and ice hockey after a day of skiing. We watched the U.S. beat Russia in their ice stadium. At the end of the week, I said, "John, you go to sleep in the back and I will drive to Ventura." I got about 10 miles and became so sleepy, that I climbed in the back and went to sleep too. At 6:00 o'clock, John wakes and asks, "Are we in Ventura yet?"
I was in medical school and then residency and then Norma and I moved to Ventura in 1974 and bought our 2nd VW bus from John, this time with a pop-up tent and all the accoutrements built in so we could go camping with our boys.
Later, John worked for many years in our CMH Hospital on the hospital board and as a volunteer. He was wonderful with the patients.
As a person, John was exceptional: warm, giving, funny and "the life" of the group. He was loved by many, many people and will be sorely missed. Cedric Emery, MD.
February 11, 2018
Dear Masterson family,
I'm so sorry to hear about John's passing. I know there's a special place in heaven for him. He was such a wonderful man. I have so many fond memories of John and the Masterson clan! He was so funny and always so happy. I'll never forget as a little girl walking into Masterson Motors with my sisters and he'd always say "Hi Debbie, Cindy, Susie" really fast like it was one word with a big grin on his face! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Love, Susan "Susie" Tornetta
Jim Gstettenbauer
February 3, 2018
So sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a mentor to me when I first went to Stanford and was a friend over the years. Always a positive word and smile. I will be out of town for the celebration of his life and memory.
Bob and Cindy Tornetta
January 31, 2018
So many happy memories between our families. Our thoughts and love go out to the Masterson Family.
Bob Tornetta, and daughter Cindy.
Nora Escobedo
January 28, 2018
I was saddened to hear about John's passing. My deepest sympathies to Judy and family. Rest in peace, my friend !
Sue Hayes
January 27, 2018
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father. Sue Hayes
JESS TORRES
January 24, 2018
MY CONDOLENCE GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. JESS. GOD BLESS
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