Tehachapi News

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Walter Joseph Mosser passed away at his home in Tehachapi on Feb. 2 at the age of 87. Walt was born Feb. 15, 1920 in Vanderbilt, Penn. Walt joined the Navy when he was 16 and served 23 years. On Dec. 17, 1943, he married Maybelle Esther Scott. They were married for 64 years and had four children.

After his naval career, Walt and Maybelle ventured into the convenience store business. Together they spent 20 years with Speedee Mart (7/11 Food Store). Walt dreamed of having a delicatessen, so he opened Mosser’s Airport Deli in Oceanside (home of the Piper Cub sandwich). Walt decided to retire, but even that didn’t last long. He soon moved to northern California to manage the Ponderosa campground and general store in Coloma. Walt and Maybelle finally settled and permanently retired in Tehachapi, where they have lived for 18 years.

In his spare time Walt enjoyed camping in the Sierras, tinkering in his garage and exploring his next vehicle purchase. Walt was noted for his wit and humor. he always had a colorful story to tell and was quick to give you an analogy on how to live life. Walt had a way of telling it just how it was.

Walt belonged to the following organizations; the Masonic Lodge of Connecticut, VFW, Fleet Reserve, Toastmasters of Tehachapi and Mountain Bible Church.
Walt is survived by his wife, Maybelle; his three sons, Rowland, Douglas and Ruston; and his daughter, Wendy. Walt has 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Other surviving relations are brother-in-law Frank Silvia; niece Nancy Murata and her children; foster children Eddie Wright and family, and Modesto Aguilar and family.

Memorial services were held at Mountain Bible Church and he was buried at Tehachapi Public Cemetery, Westside. Wood Family Funeral Service handled the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research hospital, www.stjude.org/donate, or the Epilepsy Foundation www.efa.org in remembrance of Walter J. Mosser.