Obituary of Geoff Matson

The Funeral Mass is livestreamed at https://youtu.be/NcTODCKtDWA 

and the program is on the Tribute Wall.

 

Geoff Matson passed away unexpectedly July 24, 2020, in Lacey, Washington, from complications of cancer. He was born May 26, 1946, to Reino Matson and Dorothy Ward Matson in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Geoff grew up in Olympia and attended St. Michael's Catholic school, then went on to graduate from Olympia High School in 1964. He went on to attend Centralia Community College and served in the Army National Guard from 1967 to 1972.

 

Geoff had a lifelong passion for golf and was an avid golfer playing regularly at the Tumwater Valley Golf Club. He loved the game, and had plenty of bragging rights, but he wasn’t the type to boast about his game or the two holes-in-one, the first at The Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course. Instead, with a sparkle in his eye, he would just flash that big proud grin at how great that moment was.

 

Geoff had an undeniable appreciation for all of the good (and simple) things in his life, and that was every moment he had with his family and friends. Family time was his world and joining the bi-annual family reunions, hosting holidays at the club house and attending many family gatherings was his definition of living the best life. Geoff absolutely loved attending his grandkids’ sporting events, and was always there to cheer them on. He looked forward to having dinner with the great grandchildren, especially if homemade spaghetti was on the menu.

 

He had many treasured friends. His favorite pastimes were Tuesdays at Regal movie theater with the regulars, Thursday pool at Herb's with the guys, quarterly get-togethers with high school classmates at O'Blarney's, and attending the men’s and women’s basketball games at St. Martin’s.  He also was quite the pool shark and known to capitalize on opportunities to pick up a pool game and bring home a few bucks.

 

Geoff never took himself too seriously. His quick wit and humor were loved by all who knew him. He could lighten the mood at any moment. One of the most remarkable things about Geoff was his ability to persevere through the challenges he faced throughout his life, especially Paranoid Schizophrenia as his constant companion. When he was asked what the secret was he said, “Every day I take all the symptoms and crush them into a ball and throw it in the wastebasket…and then I go on enjoying life.”  Geoff always told that story at Peer group. He was really proud of his recovery. And so grateful for all the family support. When asked, “What do you think made the biggest difference in your recovery?” he answered, “Whenever there was a problem, I knew that we could always sit down at the table as a family and work it out “

 

Some of his memorable phrases were, “Golf keeps me humble,” “Life goes on,” and “It is what it is.”  He was a genuine, gracious and humble man. Geoff will truly be missed by everyone who knew him. We picture him now cruising with the top down in his Mustang GTE, with his adorable big ear-to-ear grin, truly happy as a clam, watching down on all of his loved ones!

 

He is survived by his son, Todd;  daughters, Amy and Jamie; 10 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother, Ward; sisters, Jane (Richard), Molly, and Monica (Ray); and many nieces and nephews.  His parents preceded him in death.

 

The family wishes to thank and expresses its gratitude to Providence St. Peter Hospital’s phenomenal Chaplains Gina and Clark, and ICU nurse Leslie, for their compassionate and dedicated assistance in the care of our father during his final hours.

 

There will be a private service on August 27, 2020.  It will be live streamed; a link will be posted on Geoff’s web page at Funeral Alternatives the day before the mass.

 

Memorial donations may be made to

Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

www.thebrf.org 

or Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation 

https://salgi.org/ways-to-give/

 

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