He graduated from high school and college in Japan. In 1965, he graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He earned his PhD in religion from Claremont graduate school in 1975. He married Hope Nozomi Omachi in 1964. They have lived in Pasadena, CA; Ontario, OR; Flushing, NY; West Los Angeles, CA; Oakland, CA and he retired in Fresno, CA- “the best city of them all,” Mas said.
He leaves as his legacy: Mariya and Yoshi Yamamoto, Orlando, FL; Becky Kawashima Wong and David Wong, Fresno, CA. He leaves one brother- Noboru Kawashima in Japan and 5 grandchildren. His children remember him lovingly.
Mas was a pastor for the United Methodist Church and served 5 different churches until he retired in 2002. He was baptized by an American missionary in Japan when he was 15. He served others and God selflessly.
A visitation for Masayoshi will be held Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 L Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
A graveside service will occur Monday, April 22, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Clovis District Cemetery, 305 N. Villa, Clovis, CA.
A memorial service will occur Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11:00 am at the United Japanese Christian Church, 136 N Villa, Clovis, CA 93612.
In lieu of flowers please make donation to the National Asian American UMC Federation of Kawashima Bright Futures Fund or to UJCC.
