James Eugene Mahoney

James was born on April 25, 1928, and was adopted at the age of 4 by James & Cecil Mahoney in Orange County, CA. James grew up in Santa Ana, CA and graduated from Santa Ana high school in 1946. He played semi-professional baseball as a catcher throughout high school in Santa Ana. After high school he was scouted and offered a minor league contract with The Boston Red Sox. He turned it down and went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for a few years as well as Santa Ana college

James met the love of his life, Shirley Mae Mahoney in 1947 while singing in the church choir at First Presbyterian church of Santa Ana. They were married on May 26, 1950, and celebrated an amazing 73 years of love and happiness together. Shirley & James welcomed their first daughter Kathy in 1951 and their second daughter Karen in 1953. They raised their family in Orange, CA where he lived until his passing.

James began working at Miller Tire at the age of 10 and returned after college so he could provide for his family. He started at the bottom as a tire buster and worked his way up to managing 5 stores in Orange County. He sold Miller Tire in 1978, but he didn’t sell the real estate until years later.

James was the driving force to launch the Executive Association of Orange County in 1971, which still exists today. He was the first president of the organization. In 1979 James was a founding member and served on the board of directors for Orange National Bank until 1999. He also sat on the bank’s loan committee.

James enjoyed playing racquetball with friends until the age of 76. He played for 30 years and won several tournaments against players much younger than him. He was in great shape and active for most of his life. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren. They visited most of the United States on road trips, cruised to Alaska, The Caribbean, and the Mediterranean to name a few. He also visited The Holy Land on an expedition tour. In 1983 James bought a cabin on the north side of Big Bear where he enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family for many years. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo began his love for agriculture and horticulture. He longed to own a farm of his own one day. In 2004, James Mahoney’s lifelong dream of becoming a farmer came true. He purchased a 40-acre farm in Terra Bella that consisted of horses, Pistachios and fruit trees. James was kind, loved people and would strike up a conversation with anyone he met.

James will be dearly missed by daughters Kathy Cates, Karen Masters (Bill), grandchildren Jack Nanigian, Heidi Nanigian, Ashley Kuest (Joseph) and (Melissa Masters-Laughery) as well as many extended family members and friends. He has been reunited with his beautiful bride in heaven.

A Celebration of life will be held for James at First Presbyterian Church of Orange 180 North Grand St. Orange, CA, 92866 on October 18, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend.