Masao Yamamoto

He attended Garfield Elementary School, Clovis High School and California State University, Fresno. He went on to earn a degree in Pharmacy from University of California, San Francisco, and a Doctorate degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from University of California San Francisco/Ohio State University.

Mas had a very distinguished and rewarding career in pharmacy. He served as the Director of Pharmacy at Valley Medical Center from 1948 to 1987. He was the Director of Pharmacy at Valley Children's Hospital from 1953 to 1975.

He also co-owned and operated Valley Medical Pharmacy while working his other jobs. He was a clinical instructor for University of California, San Francisco, and instructed and mentored many of the pharmacists in the Central Valley.

Mas was very devoted to his Buddhist faith, teaching Sunday school for 58 years and strongly supported the building of the new Fresno Family Bestuin Dharma Center and future Temple building. Mas was always a Clovis farm boy at heart and loved the family farm, community and the local sports at Clovis High School and Fresno State. He also enjoyed the sports teams in the Bay Area, striped bass fishing in San Francisco Bay, and playing tennis with friends. Massie, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Mas, Dr. Mas and Mas were his names. Pointers that will always connect our spirit to his. His smile, his touch, his voice, his love. He was greatly respected, loved and will forever be in our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tokuzo and Moyo; his sister Sakayo; his brother Tokuo; and his son Mason.

Mas is survived by Yoshiko, his loving wife of 68 years; his daughters, Joanne Kozuki "Kent" and Kathleen Toda "Yas"; his grandchildren, Kristi and Jeff "Rosalyn", Katie and Sarah "Jimmy", Casey and Candace; and his great-grandsons, Nico and Enzo.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Fresno Family Bestuin Dharma Center, 2690 E. Alluvial Ave., Fresno Ca. 93720, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.