Richard John Mattson |
| Posted 2009-10-12 by Sharla |
| Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Richard John Lennart Mattson, 76, of Flagstaff, died on Aug. 15, 2009, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Rice Lake, Wis., to the Reverend and Mrs. C.D. Mattson. He graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., and then later graduated from Augustana Lutheran Seminary. Mr. Mattson was married to Anna Leaf Mattson for 52 years. He served Lutheran parishes in Kenora, Ontario, Canada; Elizabethtown, Ky.; Evansville, Ind.; and Chesterton, Ind. He finished his pastoral career as pastor with The Christian Ministry in the National Parks and served the Community Church at Grand Canyon National Park. Mr. Mattson was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved his family deeply and served the church faithfully. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including woodworking, music, hiking, running and traveling. He will be deeply missed, but his family also shares his strong faith and his pastoral legacy will live on in many people's lives. Mr. Mattson is survived by his wife, Anna; five children, Anna-Marie Carter, David Mattson, Lisa Ring, John Mattson and Aaron Mattson; and nine grandchildren. A memorial service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Living Christ Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Living Christ Lutheran Church, 6401 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. --------------------------------------- Norvel Owens Mortuary Flagstaff, Arizona John Mattson, age 79, of Flagstaff, passed away early on the morning of April 5, 2009. He was born on January 15, 1930 in Worcester, Mass. to John Lambert and Siiri Mattson. He grew up in Friendship Maine where he graduated from Friendship High School in 1945. He worked as a carpenter before joining the Army. He served his country proudly in the Korean conflict, earning the rank of Corporal and where he was awarded several medals, including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. John eventually settled in Waldoboro, Maine where he raised his family. Growing tired of the long Maine winters,John relocated in 1979 to Arizona, residing in Flagstaff, Prescott, and finally back in Flagstaff in 2002. John loved being outdoors and spent many hours "hiking" in his motorized wheelchair, often with a neighbor in tow or just soaking up the sun. He also enjoyed working outside in the yard. He loved spending time with his family and visiting with people in the neighborhood. He discovered computers and the internet a few years ago and liked to keep in touch with family and friends in Maine via emails. John was an accomplished artist, creating many oil paintings. John was also very proud of his Finnish heritage and was a first generation American. John was a member of Disabled American Veterans (DVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). John was predeceased by his parents, brother Elmer Mattson, and stepson Gilbert Tripp. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Donna Mattson of Flagstaff, his sister Edna Montgomery of Cushing, Maine, sons John Eric Mattson (Linda) of Snowflake, Arizona, Matthew Mattson of Rockland, Maine, stepsons George Tripp (Katy) of Tenants Harbor, Maine, Jeffrey Tripp of Bangor, Maine, stepdaughter Rebecca Williams of Flagstaff, and 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be Friday, April 10, 2009 at 10am at Norvel Owens Mortuary followed by burial with full military honors in the Veterans Section of Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John's honor to the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post #3, 204 E. Birch Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. See Also: Find A Grave |
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