Jay Coxe Master died on December 16, 2015. He was 86.

He was born on December 15, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John Coxe Master of Buffalo, New York and Mary Clarissa White of London, England. 

Young Jay was raised in Colonial Village, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the oldest of three boys in the family. From kindergarten through 12th grade, he attended Haverford School for Boys. He next attended Princeton University, where he was a member of the Key Club and the Seal Club. He graduated in 1952 and maintained friendships with fellow students throughout his life, enjoying catching up with classmates even up to his 60th reunion.

He enlisted in the US Army on November 12, 1952 and served with distinction as a member of the 101st Airborne Division during the Korean War until October 12, 1954. He received the Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant for outstanding achievement. After the war, Mr. Master was first employed by Armstrong World Industries as an industrial sales trainee in January of 1955. Over the years, he worked for Armstrong in Buffalo, New York, Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He next became West Coast sales manager for Thomasville Furniture, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, in the Contract Furniture Services Division and, in the late 1970s, moved to Claremont with his wife Marjorie and their four children, all of whom attended Claremont schools. Jay and Marjorie were subsequently divorced. In 1983, Jay married Jeanne Smith Hazelton in the Claremont Presbyterian Church. Avid golfers, they moved to Upland Hills Country Club in 1988 where they golfed often and where Mr. Master lived until his death.

Following his retirement from Armstrong/Thomasville, he enjoyed working many years in the real estate market for Century 21 in the Upland area. Jay excelled in photography, loved dancing and pursued the study of astronomy. He was a member of Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers and delighted in sharing his knowledge and expertise with adults and schoolchildren alike.

Jay’s greatest hobby was golf. He and Jeanne traveled all over the world, visiting most of Europe, the Far East and Australia, and played golf during 30 trips to the Hawaiian Islands, at St. Andrews in Scotland, throughout their favorite golf course country, Ireland, and at courses in New Zealand, Spain and Costa Rica. They played many courses in the continental United States, as well as some in Alaska. They played frequently in Florida while visiting Jay’s mother, who had a home there.  

Wherever he lived, Mr. Master was active in the Presbyterian Church. In Claremont, he served on the Session of the Claremont Presbyterian Church (CPC), was chairman of a capital funds campaign and was part of the CPC Men’s Breakfast Group. He also loved meeting friends in the Crossroads Group.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Master of Upland; brothers Jim Master (Shirley) and Larry Master; children Gwynne Master (Leonardo O’Grady), Neill Master (Arial), Tom Master (Stacy) and Jane Master; and step-children Devon Freitas (Chuck), Teri Lingenfelter and Robyn DeJournett (Robert).

He is also survived by his grandchildren Traharne and Sebastiano O’Grady, Isaac and Ila Master and Yale Seigal; his step-grandchildren Tyson (Jessica) and Jeremy (Alicia) Lingenfelter, Amy Lingenfelter, Heather (Ted) Granger, Traci (Chris) Lanning and Ryan (Michele) DeJournett. In addition, he leaves step-great-grandchildren Sarah and Benjamin Lingenfelter, Paige and Reid Lingenfelter, Tim and Tyler Granger, Kelly, Brent and Aaron Lanning, Isaiah, Cameron, Ryder, Beau and Dani DeJournett, Kyle and Katie Freitas and Joel Freitas.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Willow Room at Forest Lawn Mortuary (21300 Via Verde Drive in Covina). Services will be held on Wednesday, December 30 at 11 a.m. at Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave. in Claremont, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. A Committal will be held on Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m. in the outdoor mausoleum at Forest Lawn Mortuary.