James Mas died on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. He was 66. 

He was born on February 11, 1949 in New York to James A. Mas and Celina M. Astincio Mas, the second oldest of six children. When the family moved from New York to California in the 1960s, he lived in Covina where he attended school. 

After graduating from Charter Oak High School in 1967, Mr. Mas joined the Air Force and served his country for four years during the Vietnam War. After his departure from the military, he married and moved to Rowland Heights and started his family. Eventually he relocated to Victorville, where he lived with his daughters Diana and Carol. 

James was a loving son, brother, father and friend who loved the simple things in life like cowboy shows, martial arts, Elvis music, drawing and collecting comic books. One of his favorite pastimes was working on and riding his Harley. In the past three years, he found a love for the Lord and was baptized at Calvary Chapel Claremont. The thing he loved most and of which he was most proud was being a father and grandfather. 

James lived for his entire family and was loved by all who knew him. The family would like to thank their friends and family for all their prayers and for being there in their time of need. 

James is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Robert Tafoya of Apple Valley; sister and brother-in-law, Tina and Steve Rios of Rancho Cucamonga; brother and sister in-law, Mark and Sally Mas of La Verne; sister Judy Nelson of Bullhead City, Arizona; sister and brother in-law, Nancy and John Gatlin of Fort Mohave, Arizona, and a half-sister, Maria Valdivia, of Havana, Cuba.

He also leaves five grandchildren, Derek and Jenna Tafoya and Destiny, Caitlin and CJ Tucker and eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carol Tucker. 

Services will be held at the Calvary Chapel Claremont, 343 W. 12th St. in Claremont, on Sunday, November 22 at 3 p.m. After the service, guests will gather at the home of Mark and Sally Mas for a celebration of James’ life.