Col. Eric Knox Matson, USAF, retired

Colonel Eric Knox Matson went to the Lord on April 27, 2023.  He was not only a husband and father, but also a brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, and mentor to so many.  

He was born in Bolivar, PA at home on the family dairy farm to Richard Matson, Sr. and Marjorie Matson.  He had two brothers, Richard Matson, Jr. (Betty Joan) and Ronald Matson (Beverly) and he has one sister, Linda Jane Guyer (David).  

He graduated from Ligonier High School in 1959 and graduated from Penn State in 1963 with a BS in Electrical Engineering.  He then became a commissioned officer in the USAF, was stationed in many states, and served overseas in Germany at Ramstein AFB.  He also went on to earn his Master's degree in Computer Science. He retired from the Air Force after 28 1/2 years of service to his country and then worked at the Department of Energy for 15 years.  He loved working on his home, garden, blueberry patch, and genealogy; and he loved caring for 45+ foster children.  He shared his many talents, tenacity, and hard-working attitude with others by serving our Lord on mission trips locally as well as to Mississippi and Alabama.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Kay Matson, of 55+ years, sister, Jane, sister-in-law, BJ; his children, Melissa Harner (Charles) of Mt. Airy, MD, Shawn Matson (Sharne) of Acton, CA, Ryan Matson (Amanda) of Tracy, CA, and Dario Matson.  He has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who always made him smile- Jacob, Cameron, Kayla, Chace, Rafferty, Mikayden, Beckett, Sophia, Alexis, Stella, and Lane.  He also has many nephews, nieces and cousins whom he loved spending time with at reunions and tracing through his genealogy research.  

We would like to thank everyone for their loving support over the years including Sun Valley Assisted Living staff, Bridging Life Hospice, and Redeemer Lutheran of Damascus.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of these organizations.  

A Memorial Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 27015 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 1:00pm.  He will also have a burial with military honors at Ligonier Valley Cemetery, 105 Nicely Road, Ligonier, PA on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11:00am