John Malcolm Masten

Aug. 21, 1919 – Mar. 26, 2024

Physician, World Traveler, Dancer, Backpacker, Hiker, Photographer, Gardener

A remarkable member of the Greatest Generation, J. Malcolm Masten was born in Fresno, California on August 21, 1919.  His father taught agriculture at Fresno State and his mother was a public school teacher.  One of four siblings, "John", "Jackie", then "Malcolm" was a dedicated student and loyal boyfriend, meeting his future wife in the Hamilton Junior High School band.  Together they were nicknamed the "Brain Trust" in college, then Malcolm attended medical school in Pennsylvania, marrying LaVerne in 1943.  After an accelerated medical program due to WWII, they moved to San Francisco for his U.C. internship and residency, then to basic training in San Antonio (bringing his wife despite being told not to).  They were stationed in Germany for two years immediately following the end of the war, where he attained the rank of Captain in the Army Medical Corps.  It was during these years in Germany that they first developed a life-long love of travel.

In 1950, they moved back to Fresno for Malcolm to begin his medical practice in Internal Medicine, and he  was active in many aspects of medical care in the community throughout his 40 years of practice.  At Fresno Community Hospital, he served as president of the medical staff as well as chairman of its medical department and cardiology committee.  He was an integral part in the establishment at that hospital of one of the earliest coronary care units in the U.S. (1965) and later was a significant contributor to the innovative cardiovascular laboratory facilities there (1971).  He was president of the Fresno Society of Internal Medicine, the Fresno Heart Association, and the California Tuberculosis Association (now the Lung Association), receiving the Henry R. Randel Memorial Award from that organization in 1977.  He spearheaded a committee to fight the use of tobacco early in that campaign.   Most meaningful to him during his years in medicine were his relationships with his patients.

Malcolm was an Eagle Scout and believed strongly in the value of scouting.  He was a member of the Fresno High School Senate and at Fresno State College began a long association with the Theta Chi fraternity.  Later, he was one of a group of enterprising Fresnans who organized the Fresno Community Council and served as its second president.  He served on the Fresno Philharmonic Association's board of directors and was also a long-term dedicated member of the North Fresno Exchange Club.  A member of First Presbyterian Church since his teens, he served as elder, clerk of session and trustee over the years.

Malcolm and LaVerne loved to dance, being presidents of the three dance groups they belonged to over the years.  And they adored the mountains, going on numerous strenuous backpack trips in the high Sierras as well as in mountain ranges in Europe, New Zealand, and the Himalayas.  Together they built a mountain cabin, where they enjoyed respite as well as time with friends and family.  Photography was an important part of their lives, having visited 100 different countries over their lives, and they enjoyed showing many slide and video shows to groups of friends.  They also relished gardening, with a beautiful garden always their goal (and twice on the Fresno Garden tour)

Malcolm always had a sparkle in his eye and a song in his heart.  He deeply loved his family:  his wife of 79 years LaVerne, his two daughters Marilyn and Marlene, and the later addition of Marilyn's husband, Scott Honegger, and their two children Julie and David. He was so pleased to see Julie marry Mitch Bosma and add Logan to their family, then for David to marry Sarah Emerson, adding James and Calvin to their family:  a golden legacy for a member of the Greatest Generation.  He is the last of that generation for his extended family, filled with loving nieces and nephews and first, second, and third cousins and their families.

The family especially wishes to acknowledge Malcolm's dear friends and caregivers who have brought kindness and comfort during his last several years.

In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance may be made to:

First Presbyterian Church, 1540 M Street, Fresno 93721

Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens, Foundation Benevolence Fund, 555 N. Fresno Street, Fresno 93710

Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, 726 W Barstow Ave Suite 106 Fresno 93704