James (Jim) Elmer Masden, age 47, passed away of natural causes on November 1, 2020, in Las Vegas, NV.
Jim was born to parents Frank and Barbara (Schall) Masden on April 25, 1973 in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Jim started his life being someone people would always remember. He was the first boy born in the hospital, in Lake Havasu City. While growing up in Lake Havasu, Jim and his family enjoyed bowling. In high school, Jim bowled his first 300 in his hometown. He was part of the AVCO National Family Doubles Tournament in 1988 with his Dad and 1989 with his Mom. His junior year of high school, Jim was a Rotary foreign exchange student. In 1991, he graduated from Lake Havasu High School. In 1996, Jim joined the Golden Key National Honor Society. He graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in December of 1996 and later went on to earn two master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix. Jim was an educator in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for nearly 24 years. While working in CCSD, Jim received many accolades. He was nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year in 2003, Walmart Teacher of the Year in 2004, Distinguished Star Award for Performance Zone 11 in 2014, and was recognized in 2016 and 2017 for the Heart of America Award. He also had perfect attendance for most of his years with CCSD. Jim will be remembered by so many for his dedication to his students and their families. He once said, in a July 27, 2018 article for the Las Vegas
Review-Journal, “I feel like what I’m doing is right. I’m doing what’s right for kids. There’s no ulterior motive.”
Anyone who knew Jim loved his sense of humor, his love for teaching, his love of watching his students succeed even after he taught them, his support of his students with their sporting events and all of their accomplishments, his love of all things Disney and Funko, his love for Harry Potter, his love for the Boston Red Sox, his love for graphic novels, his love of IKEA, his love for his family history, and how much fun he always had in life. You always knew where to find Jim on a Tuesday night – Grimaldi’s! He enjoyed going there to get his pepperoni pizza, half off wine, and visit with friends. He would always get a Nothing Bundt Cake for himself and the bartender’s kids. Jim was truly a great guy to everyone and never met a stranger. As some have said he was their first friend and was always there to help.
Jim is survived by his mother, Barbara Masden, of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Brother, sister-in-law, and children, John and Barbara Masden (James, John Jr., Mary, and Steven), of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Dave Brown, of San Diego, CA; Sister, Jayne Masden, of Henderson, NV; Aunt and Uncle, Nancy and Lenny Moschcau, of Kingman, AZ; Aunt, Katherine Masden, of Madison, WI; and many cousins.
Jim was predeceased by his father, Frank D. Masden, Jr. (1998).
A memorial service and celebration of life is scheduled for December 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., at Central Church, 1001 New Beginnings Dr., Henderson, NV 89011 and on December 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., at Community Presbyterian Church, 3450 Chemehuevi Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406. Please join us in remembering and celebrating James, Jim, Jimbo, Uncle Jimbo, Uncle Jim, Jimmy, Mr. Masden.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to our gofundme – Memorial Fund for James Masden. We are raising funds for a buddy bench, planting of a tree, and having a section of the library dedicated to Mr. Masden at Wayne N. Tanaka Elementary School at 9135 West Maule Avenue in Las Vegas, NV 89148. We want to honor Jim’s dedication for the children and to remember his love for teaching.
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Prayers to Jim in Heaven, his family and friends here on Earth. Bobby and Kelly
We loved Mr. Masden. He taught all three of my children and we remained in touch, mostly to attend service at the Crossing even after our family relocated back to New York. We had that pleasure most recently a few months back. He is truly missed but our memories are great.
Truly missed by so many! Mr. Masden was such a great teacher and friend. May he rest in paradise.
Our Hearts go out to the Masden family, their are no words that can ever take away the hurt & sadness that you must feel, but you can be sure he is with our Father in Heaven and he will take good care of him. May God bless your Family & May Jim Rest in Peace. Don & Patti (Hormann) Lau
You were larger than life, Jim, and you’ll live on in the hearts of everyone whose lives you touched! We miss you.
Mr. Masden was the best teacher I knew in 3rd grade. He always interacted with us and was very fun. He even once had a discussion with me about Captain America: Civil War.
Will never forget your bear hugs and huge smile my friend ❤️
Blessed to have known you 😇
Jim was a kind and loving soul. My favorite memory of him was when he ran into me at Boulder Station. He said, ” Come on Miss Lisa! You win, I win…Miss Lisa needs a new pair of shoes, AND JIM DOES TOO!”
He will be missed and always remembered! Love, hugs, and prayers to you and yours.
I had the pleasure of teaching at Louis Wiener, Jr. Elementary School for several years. I never say Jim without a smile on his face. He loved to come into my classroom and scare me. His love for his students has always been obvious. Although it’s been about fourteen years since I taught with Jim, I recently saw him at the local ice rink. Of course, he was there watching a former student play hockey. He will be missed by all who have been blessed to call him a friend or teacher.
Jim (Mr. Masden) We Love you!! Thank you so much for investing all the love and time with our Sons Alex and Neil! They are heart broken and shocked that you left us way too soon! Your promise to be at their HS Graduations was fulfilled and the Boys were so happy to share that moment with you. Also, the days of Louis Weiner and the Classroom Parties (and Outings) and the numerous Birthday Parties will be forever cherished in our memories! God bless you and your Family! Forever your Student Family – John, Maria, Alex and Neil (JMAN) Class of 2013 and 2015 🙂
Thank you for being such an amazing teacher, thank you for helping me so much Mr.Massden, you were the best teacher I had, rest peacfully ❤️
Happy Birthday Jim(Mr. Masden) I miss you thank you for being there for me!! Its tough to know that your gone. I will never forget your smile and hugs!! Rest peacfully!!
Mr. Masden was the greatest teacher anyone could had. made any kid feel as if he was their father figure. in 2014 I joined Mr. Masden 3rd grade class I was very shy at first he was the person that made me happy to go to school, he made me feel like that classroom was home. he was such a amazing teacher I can’t even explain how he made everyone kid so happy. I plan on coming to visit wayne tanaka elementary school where I grew up to visit the best third grade teacher. I am currently in 10th and I’m ready to show him how successful he made his students class of 2014.
I remember going to a sleep over B-day party at Jim’s house when I was 11, we went to school K-12 together thought i’d look him up and see how he was doing.
May peace be with you Jim.
I just went through my old certificates from elementary school back in 2000 and it made me want to reach out to him. I’m so saddened to see he has already passed. Mr. Masden was one of my most memorable teachers. I was a talkative, disruptive child, but he never gave up on me. I went on to be an honor student for the rest of my school days and I guarantee you that he played a big role in that. Thank you for everything Mr. Masden. With much love, rest in peace.
I was one of Mr. Madsen’s 3rd grade students and as I’m about to graduate high school in a couple months I look back on all the teachers that have taught me these 12 years and found that no one stood out like him. I was trying to find his contact to thank him for being such an amazing teacher and leaving such a beautiful, rich and happy memory in my childhood but I’m sure that his spirit already knows that. He is a legend and shall forever live in my memory and heart, may you find peace in paradise Mr. Madsen.