Masaru Mac Yoshimura

Mas was born in Florin, California on March 30th, 1928 where his family managed a strawberry farm. After being interred at the Rohwer Japanese American Relocation Center in Arkansas with his family during WWII, Mas, as a young teen, made his way to Chicago to live with his sister Amy and enrolled himself in high school. He later relocated to Denver with the family, where his brother Dave was hospitalized from an injury sustained in France as a member of the Fighting 442nd Infantry Regiment after the war.

Mas graduated from Manual High School and later from the University of Denver where he lettered in baseball and football beginning a lifelong love of sports. Mas was drafted into the Army the Monday after he graduated from DU. Because of his college degree and baseball skills, he was sent to Orleans, France to work in the Army Finance Office and play for the Army baseball team. He liked to say, "I was in the Army during the Korean War, just stationed in France."

Mas married Sally Kuge in October 1954 in Pacific Grove, CA. Sally joined him in France during his deployment, and together traveled throughout Europe on leave. After his military service, Mas went on to work for and retire from the Office of Health and Human Services in Denver, CO. Upon retirement, Mas and Sally traveled throughout the world where he jogged or golfed as many places as possible. Mas continued running marathons and skiing into his mid-80s and bowling and golfing into his 90s. Mas and Sally returned to California (La Jolla/San Diego) November 2022 to fulfill the dream of living on the beach. They returned to Denver September 2024 to be near family.

He is survived by his three children – Ronald, Caron, Becky, his grandchildren – Janel, Kristen, Kyle and Malia, and his great grandchild – Kenley, his sister – Chiyoko and his many wonderful nieces and nephews. The family is planning a small family gathering in spring.