Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Majda Obituary
Passed away on Monday, May 28, 2007 at home in the company of his loving wife and best friend of 26 years, Virginia Leary-Majda, and his devoted Samoyed, Mischa.
John was a dedicated physician-scientist and cancer patient advocate for more than 20 years. He was a partner in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles.
Born in East Chicago, IN, Dr. Majda received his medical degree at the University of California San Diego. He was an intern in Internal Medicine at St. Mary's Medical Center in Long Beach, CA. John's residency was in Radiation Oncology at the University of Arizona with rotations at the University of Florida, Gainesville; the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, Boston; and the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. He received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics at Purdue University and did postgraduate studies in Immunology at UCSD.
In addition to caring for his patients, John enjoyed collecting wines, diving, fishing, hiking, traveling, and the arts. He was a devoted husband, brother, uncle, and friend.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 4, 2007, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 11967 Sunset Blvd., Brentwood, CA 90049.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to the John A. Majda, M.D. Memorial Fund, c/o RBZ, LLP; 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900; L.A., CA 90025-1506. Donations are tax-deductible and will be used for patient projects that were dear to John.
Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy, Directors (310) 395-9988
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Majda
Sponsored by John's wife, Virginia.
Raymond E.
May 5, 2022
It's almost 15 years since Dr. Majda's passing. I still remember this great man. I hope you are doing well Mrs. Majda. Take care and God bless.
ken fox
December 29, 2016
Ginny,
It's been about 1000 years . . . . . I somehow stumbled onto an online obit for John; I had no idea this had happened and now it is almost 10 years later. I am so sorry.
I'd love to have a glass of wine with you sometime, somewhere. I haven't practiced medicine myself for something like 18 years at this point. I am occasionally in SD visiting family, otherwise I hang out in Idaho, Ketchum and Boise.
ken fox
Lindy Fisher
June 14, 2013
Virginia.. sorry for your loss
I am a whiting high school grad. Class of 68
Did John grad from Whs? I would like him to be in the Buckley Wall of Fame. That is for whs alumni who have gone above and beyond. I am an alumni class of 68. Jansky was my last name
If so you can email me [email protected]
It would be my honor to nominate him.
Samar Asmar
August 30, 2007
Dear Mrs. Majda,
I have been Dr. Majda's patient for the past ten years. I am greatly saddened by the loss of such a wonderful person. Please know that he was loved by his patients as he always treated us like family with the deepest concern and respect. My prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God Bless you and your family always.
Susan Simanello/Broderdorf
June 29, 2007
Dear Virginia,
My family and I were very sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you. A very good friend is going through a deep depression after the loss of her father and I don't know what to do to help her besides making myself available at all times if she needs me. You have gone through two major losses now. Call me or e-mail whenever you want. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Karen Wessinger
June 16, 2007
Dear Virginia, My heart goes out to you and Mischa. You are in our prayers. Karen
Julie Hwang
June 15, 2007
Virginia,
I am so sorry for your loss. John was a caring physician and will be missed. My thoughts are with you in your time of grief.
Teri Katz, MD
June 14, 2007
Dear Virginia,
John was a good physician and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Rosalyn Zakheim
June 13, 2007
Dear Mrs. Majda,
I was a recent patient of Dr. Majda and met with him only twice before he passed away. His kindness and compassion were greatly appreciated. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing, and my heart goes out to you.
Aurora Madrid
June 12, 2007
Dear Mrs Majda,
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Majda. I was one of his patients for the last 6 years. Through the trying times he always encouraged me and showed that he cared. I will miss seeing his smiling face and kind and encouraging words. He spoke many times of you and Misha, I know he felt blessed by you both. May God bless and comfort you.
Lory & Chris Barra
June 12, 2007
Dear Virginia & Mischa,
We were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of your beloved John. He was such a nice, kind man. Boy did he love both of you! Please except our deepest sympathy for your loss. You are in our thoughts & prayers in this sad time & always.
Lou Haberman
June 11, 2007
Dearest Virginia,
John was a treasure to so many. He had a sweet and sincere gift of giving of himself to bless others.
You are tucked in my thoughts and prayers for your healing to begin.
With love to you my friend,
Ricardo Wang
June 8, 2007
John will be missed by all of us. My deepest sympathy to Virginia and family.
Javad Rahimian
June 8, 2007
Virginia: I would like to send my sincere sympathy for passing of our colleague Dr. Majda. He was a dedicated and a caring physician who will be missed. My best wishes for you at these difficult times.
Steven & Rachel Stolk
June 8, 2007
Virginia,
Even though we have only known John for a short time, with his friendship and kindness, he made us feel like close friends in the dog world. We enjoy the time we were able to know him. Steven and I keep talking about how we will miss seeing him under the tent at dog shows with Mischa by his side. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mischa and the family. John will be missed. God Bless
David and Nancy Rathgeber
June 7, 2007
Virginia,
Words cannot express the loss we feel at John's passing. The world, our world, is greatly dimished. He was an extraordinary man and we miss him so much. We loved and continue to love him and we love and appreciate the friendships we have with you and Mischa.
Harry Powell
June 7, 2007
Mary and I have known John since the early 1980's when he was a student at UCSD and worked in research with our colleagues in Pathology. His extraordinary knowledge of and taste in wines became an asset to our Christmas parties and all other social events. His keen mind and compassionate persona made a great impression and that he was a person of great integrity was clear to all who knew him. He made patient care his special cause and really fought for the things he believed in. He has a hard battle against a cruel disease and Virginia's love and support were the forces that kept him with us until he could hold on no longer. Farewell John, you are always with us.
Susan Whitecotton
June 7, 2007
Virginia,
I am really sorry to hear about John's passing. I will miss seeing his smiling face at the dog shows, holding Mischa and enjoying all of the sites. My thoughts and prayes are with you...
Raymond Eclarin
June 7, 2007
I've wroked with Dr. Majda for approximately 5 years. He was very encouraging towards me in regards to the goals I have set for myself in the future. He always made sure to let me know that I am very much appreciated in our department. I have considerable respect for this man and his accomplishments in life. It was great to have spoken with you, Mrs. Majda, and I thank you so much for sharing with me some of the magnificent stories of Dr. Majda's life. I just wish I had a chance to let him know how much I appreciated his presence and comments. I will continue to make him proud by accomplishing these goals in his memory.
Steve & Patti Berkov
June 7, 2007
Dear Virginia,
Our Friendship with you and John is a special gift and we shall treasure it always. You and John are in our thoughts and prayers.
Stan Eisele
June 6, 2007
Dear Virginia,
I spent the entire year of John's internship with him at St. Mary's and we had many interesting experiences on the medical wards.
He was a great man and I will always remember his brilliant mind and humor. I was always impressed how he made the extra effort to listen to others.
Clu Carradine
June 6, 2007
We were all so blessed to have John among us, even for so short a time. He was a wonderful friend, a great guy, and we'll miss him forever. Gentle journey to a gentle soul, and comforting hugs to Virginia, Mischa, and all who loved him.
Carole Cheesman
June 6, 2007
Virginia & Miska - I am very sorry for your lose, my thoughts and prayers and with both of you. John will be missed.
Thomas Kinney
June 6, 2007
Dear Virginia:
Our best wishes to you in this difficult period. John was an exceptional co-medical student with me while we were at UCSD and we frequently compared notes about difficult rotations together. Sorry for you loss, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chris Higley
June 6, 2007
Dear Virginia, I am so very sad to hear of John's passing. Please know that your friends are thinking of you and Mischa.
Your Sammy friend,
Chris Higley
Kim Tran and Family
June 6, 2007
Dear Virgnia,
I'm very sadden when I learned of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Chuck Wilson
June 6, 2007
Virginia: Please know that John's old winetasting friends in San Diego remember him fondly and will miss his knowledge and good humor. Our deepest sympathies to you and his whole family.
Ken Nagao
June 6, 2007
Dear Virginia,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. In the brief time that I knew him, I was impressed by his wisdom and expectations of superior results from those that worked for him. Our prayers are with you and your family in these difficult times.
The Nagao Family
Pamela Solakian (Nurse and Artist)
June 6, 2007
Dearest Virginia and Family~
I am deeply sorrowed with the loss of a very significantly special man. John has uplifted me in more ways than I can express during my journey of fighting breast cancer. I am so grateful I had his exceptional caring and kind guidance. You two have been so very special to me. I will have you in my daily prayers. John will hold a very special memory in the hearts of many.
God Bless You
Jerry and Barbara Mathe
June 6, 2007
Virgina:
Words can not possibilty express the sorrow we feel at time, but please know that others care and wish sunny days ahead for you.
Hugs~ Jerry and Barbara Mathe
Lori Fontanes & Family
June 6, 2007
We are so sorry for the loss of such a kind, gentle soul! We will miss but remember always the heart-warming sight of John and Mischa as they meandered through Westwood Hills, always ready with a smile for a friend driving by.
Cathy, Kay, Aspen, and Sierra Hays
June 6, 2007
Virginia and Mischa, We are so sorry for your loss. John was a good and gentle man. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our prayers are with you in your time of sadness.
Vicki Youngers
June 6, 2007
Virginia I send my love, prayers and empathy. It's just not fair that the sweetest, most caring people have to suffer so.
Suzette Honore'
June 6, 2007
We were deeply grieved to hear of John's passing. Virginia, know our prayers are with you and that you are not alone in this difficult time. You have many human and Sammy friends surrounding you.
We love you!!
Greg, Suzette, Natasha and Kobe
wendy Long-Polesky
June 6, 2007
Virginia and Mischa, my thoughts and prayers are with you both at this very hard time.John was an angel to mankind, and we were all lucky to have had him.Remember my sister I love you.
Wendy Long Polesky
Kevin Holland
June 5, 2007
Dear Virginia,
I am terribly sorry about your loss. John will be missed very much as a colleague and friend.
Kevin Holland, MD
Michael Girvigian
June 5, 2007
Virginia, John was a good man and a good doctor. He will be missed as a dedicated physician and a friend.
Sandra Sutton
June 5, 2007
My prayers go out to the family of John Majda. He was a special doctor. May you find comfort in God during this time of grief. I recently (May 4) lost my mother and John signed my sympathy card. He will be missed. God bless you all.
Yao-Jin Qia
June 5, 2007
I am so sorry that I lost a good friend and good doctor. He has been a caring, dedicated physician, a good educator, and always so helpful to anyone who asked. He will be missed
Kathy Ruccione
June 4, 2007
Virginia: I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I well remember our conversations about your life together and John's expertise as a radiation oncologist. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill Mendenhall
June 4, 2007
I have lost a dear friend. I will miss him.
James R Cassady,md
June 4, 2007
John was a great radiation oncologist who loved his work and was a good friend. Debby and I are devastated at his death. We will remember him with love.
Lee Ewin, MD
June 3, 2007
A great person has passed from us. He will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, patients, his dog and all he has aquainted.
Bob and Laurie Foster
June 3, 2007
We are so saddened by his passing.
Showing 1 - 44 of 44 results
Make a Donation
in John Majda's name
Memorial Events
for John Majda
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Majda's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
