Bruce Matson

Bruce Matson Obituary Bruce Matson, age 71, at home and surrounded by family and friend, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as his friends and family members who have passed on before him, on January 9 th 2021. He was living in Murrieta with his wife, Kitty, his son Jason and his friend, Richard Parker. Bruce is survived by his loving wife of six years, Kitty Matson, his sons Jason and Andrew Matson and his grandsons Jeffrey and Johnny Matson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles LeRoy Matson and Darlene Dorothy ( Meyer) Matson and his brothers Jeffrey and Lawrence Matson, as well as his first wife, Mary Virginia (Stolz) Matson. Bruce was born in Yankton, SD and grew up in the small town of Tabor,SD, where he dominated all the ball sports in his high school and served as the prom King in his senior year. He was extremely athletically and academically gifted, being captain and quarterback of the football team, point guard and manager of the basketball team and pitcher on the baseball team. He was sent to Boys State in the Capitol. He was also an Eagle Scout. After his graduation from high school in 1967, his family moved to the Los Angeles area of California, disrupting his plans of attending engineering training at the SD School of Mines and Engineering and playing football. He did attend several years of engineering college in CA, but found he had to choose between marriage, college and full - time work. Love for his wife, Mary, won out. Eventually, he spent a long career in metal fabrication, running computerized punch presses. He also spent years as a supervisor and as a buyer for the metal fabrication companies, including Simpson strong Tie. Throughout his life, Bruce enjoyed playing football and baseball with his friends and on leagues and coaching children at T- ball. He was proud of encouraging the children and not berating them, as some coaches did. Bruce loved close, long- term relationships with his friends. He was devastated when his precious wife, Mary, was suddenly taken from this life by illness. After 8 long years alone, he was delighted to find a new life companion in Kitty (Thomas) (Losinger) Matson. Bruce has fought a long, hard battle against Multiple Myeloma cancer and heart disease. The only memorial planned at this time is this online site. Please share your thoughts, memories and pictures here. Many of you have known Bruce much longer than I have. Find comfort in the sharing of your memories. Give any gifts to your church or favorite charity in Bruce’s name. He had a heart of gold.