James Lewis Maza

James was born on December 20, 1933 at Cochise County Hospital in Douglas, Arizona to loving parents, Lewis Marion Maza and Mable Esther Hughes-Maza.

James enjoyed playing basketball whilst receiving his general education at San Pedro High School. Upon graduation, James went on to attend Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, California. There James played football for the SeaHawks, studied electronics, and earned his Associates Degree.

In 1952, James began what would become a lifetime of service when he entered the United States Navy, serving aboard the U.S. Nova Scotia out of San Diego, California, receiving Honorable Discharge in 1958.

Later the same year, James joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department, given the rank of Fireman I. Due to his strong work ethic, dedication, and repeatedly strong department evaluations, James rose to the rank of Fireman II. Then, in 1978 was awarded the rank of Captain until his retirement in 2004. For most of his 46 year career in the Fire Department, James served South Central Los Angeles at Fire Station 57, then in the early 90’s transferred to Fire Station 24 in Sunland, California until his retirement.

Throughout his life, James greatly enjoyed the sport of Golf as both player and spectator. Thus, continuing in his retirement, and as some would say, “He could always be found on the course…,” whether it be just hitting a bucket of balls, playing with friends, and/or as a Marshall at Valley Oaks Golf Course in Visalia, California.

James loved food, Of course always a great fan of his wife’s cooking. He also enjoyed Greek olives and Feta Cheese, and was always interested in finding the restaurant with the best pizza or red chili.

James was an outdoorsman and sportsman. In his childhood, James dreamed of being a baseball player. James enjoyed fishing, boating, baseball, and football - of course supporting many of the Major League teams based in Southern California throughout his life, he found his greatest favor with the Los Angeles Rams.

James was very interested in and possessed a strong knowledge of general world history. His most favored being the Classical Antiquity, Late Modern, and Contemporary periods.

James played acoustic guitar and though he had a fairly broad liking and appreciation for music, he had a great affinity for the Symphonic Classical and early era of Rock and Roll. A few of the highlights on his list were Bizet, Ravel, John Williams, Tchaikovsky, Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Neil Diamond, and Frankie Laine.

Both in general before, and then with such a long career working minutes away from Hollywood, Theatre, Film, and Television appealed to his imagination. Again James had a broad interest, stretching from early Hollywood classic films such as “They Died With Their Boots On”, “Fort Apache”, “On The Waterfront”, to the mid and late 1970’s special effects and film-making renaissance that would include “Superman”, “Star Wars”, adventure films of the 1980’s to include “Romancing the Stone”, “Indiana Jones”, the story of Don Quixote, musicals such as “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Man of La Mancha,” and recurring character works spanning the decades featuring Sherlock Holmes and James Bond.

In his heart, James was truly and undeniably, first and foremost, a family man. He always called his wife “Lovie,” his daughter “Sis”, his son “Toulouse,” and his grand daughters and great granddaughters “Darlin’.” James never said no to his children no matter what they needed. He was warm hearted, generous, and never said an unkind word about anyone. James was truly the best friend one could ever hope to have.

James married “Lovie,” Joyce Harrington on December 30, 1963 in Long Beach California. They then made their home in areas of Southern and Central California, including: Long Beach, Wilmington, Norco, Fallbrook, and then came to Visalia to stay in 1983. James attended, with his wife Joyce, Praise Center Church in Visalia, California.

James leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Joyce; his daughter Jami Dawn Maza-Saenz and husband Bobby; his son Gregory Matthew Maza; and his stepson Gary Bledsoe and wife Helen Rowe-Bledsoe. He is also survived by his granddaughters Tara Owens and husband Mitchel, Jade Blackwell, Olivia Saenz, and Marci Bledsoe; his grandson Wayne Bledsoe; as well as his great granddaughters Shelbie Owens and Lilith Venegas; and a host of friends. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. Never forgotten and forever remembered as truly one of the greats.