John Bruce Matherson
July 19, 1954 - May 17, 2008
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John Bruce Matherson
July 19, 1954 - May 17, 2008
Obituary
John Bruce Matherson
July 19, 1954 – May 17, 2008
‘Drive Fast; Take Chances’
A native Southern Californian, John was born July 19, 1954 in Downey, California so it’s no surprise that he never lived more than 50 miles from his birthplace. He loved Southern California; the desert; the mountains; the beaches and especially anywhere he could ride a bike!
John graduated from Buena Park High School where he was an excellent student. His scholastic aptitude earned him acceptance into the prestigious Air Force Academy. But when the time came to board the plane, John chose to follow his heart instead. If you know John you knew one thing for sure; he would choose passion over prestige any day. So, instead of boarding that plane he headed home and followed his heart and lifelong passion; motorcycles.
His love affair with motorcycles started as a young boy when he, his brother Bill, and his dad would build bicycles, which lead to go carts, mini bikes and ultimately motorcycles. As a kid John’s determination was obvious as he would overcome any obstacle to ‘ride’ even if it meant putting a milk crate against the wall so he could get on his bike!
His first racing experience was at Ascot Raceway in Gardena where he raced ‘flat track.’ From then on he raced any kind of race he could including ‘road racing’ and Speedway ‘sidecars.’ His son, Jim, said ‘He was so cool – he was the man. He had an entourage of supporters and people who loved him. It was just so much fun to be in the pits. Between races guys would rebuild his bike because they loved him and looked up to him. He was my hero growing up!’
As much as John loved motorcycles, there was no comparison to the real love of his life, Robin/Blondie his favorite nickname for his girl. Robin and John were married on April 9, 1983, the same day Mission Yamaha was born. It should come as no surprise to anyone that their wedding reception was fittingly held in the Service Department!! What a joyous day for John to have both of his ‘loves’ united under one roof.
John would frequently call up to Blondie’s office and say ‘singing’ which was their code for ‘I love you.’ John didn’t just love Robin, he adored her. She’s the love of his life. For most men taking on the responsibility of raising 3 teenage children might be too big a challenge. But John applied his fearless perseverance and without fail he won the love and respect of each of the kids. They loved him because he was ‘fair,’ never judgmental or critical. He was a champion for them and always their biggest supporter through some of the toughest times of their lives. John said, ‘What I loved most about him was the way he treated mom.’ I will always remember Hannah telling me ‘Do a burn-out Daddy or Grandpa says you’re a girl’ ‘I love you Dad.’ In tears Lori whispered, ‘He was a loving role model as a father and a grandfather. He put my mom on a pedestal and loved her in a way that I want to be loved someday. No matter what you needed he’d be there for anything.’ Is there anything better than to leave this kind of legacy in your children’s hearts?
John was blessed with a loving immediate family; his brother Bill and twin sisters, Becky and Betty and all together seven nieces and nephews he loves.
With John it was all about ‘family’ so much so that he was there for the birth of ALL 7 grandkids; Daniel, Rachel, Alexis, Makenzie, Ryder, Hannah and Chase. And you can bet he’ll be there for #8 who is due to arrive this July. Grandpa had a unique and special relationship with each of them. He always met them on their level whether it was building rockets with the boys or being sassy with the girls. With the grandkids, the little boy in John would come out and there was laughter, big smiles and even bigger hugs. There was an unmistakable sparkle in his eyes when he was with them.
How can anyone sum up the impact of John’s life? Like the ripples of a rock in a pond, John’s life radiated outward and touched so many lives. Too many to count; too many to know. From the woman who knew him best, after 25 amazing years, Robin remembers a husband who had a passion for life. Whether it was cooking for friends and family, mentoring young guys, tinkering in the shop, tasting a new wine, traveling to new and exciting places, John did it all full throttle. He was always happy, optimistic and you could count on him to be the life of the party. There was a thing he taught the grandkids that kind of sums up John’s life philosophy:
Green Light – GO
Red Light – STOP
Yellow Light – GAS IT!!!
‘He loved life and lived each day as if it was his last.’ No regrets.
The impact of John’s life will live on in the hearts of those he loved and those who were blessed to love him.
‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.’
2 Timothy 4:7
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested honoring John Matherson’s memory through donations to the Cordelia Knott Center of Wellness, 230 S. Main St. Orange, CA
124 responses to John Bruce Matherson
Toy says:
July 19, 2008
Hey Johnnie my friend…… Happy Birthday! I miss you so much, but we look forward to celebrating with Robin and the rest of your lovely family today. I think of you EVERY day. I know you will be with us making sure we do this party up right!
robin matherson says:
August 3, 2008
Love of My Life,
I miss you more than words or tears can say. Your in my heart every day.
I wanted to share with you the birth of our eighth grand child. He was born on Wednesday the 30th of July. A day after Little Chase’s birthday! I was there and watched him come into this world. We all wished you had been here to cut the umbilical cord but knew you were there in spirit. We talked about you cutting Hannah’s cord! Chase came so fast we were a little to late! The new one’s name is REID JOHN SUTTON for you and for John. John wanted to do Reid Matherson Sutton because he wanted him named after you and didn’t want any confusion, but I think this works out good for every one. He weighed eight pounds 2oz.! and was 19in. long. He has a lot of brown hair and real blue eyes. He’s a cutie and a very good baby. I kiss him for you!!! He’ll hear lot’s of stories and will still know his grandpa.
I love you with all my heart and soul and I’m with you every day. And I always will be.
See you on Tuesday,
Love you,
RlovesJ
robin matherson says:
August 22, 2008
Hello my Love,
Some days, like today I can hardly see through the tears. How I miss your smile, your laughter and the joy you brought to my heart. I miss your hand in mine and caressing your head and beautiful hair. I miss kissing the top of your head and just seeing your face. I sleep on your side of the bed so I can be closer to you. I miss your smell and the fire you made every night for me. I’m dreading winter, the fire place looks so lonely and I can’t imagne a fire without you. The pain of being without you is immense. My heart hurts. Today is my first Birthday without you in 26 years. It’s not the same. I don’t want to have a big party, so for my Birthday I’m taking all the kids and Grandkids to see WALKING WITH THE DINOSAURS It’s at the Honda Center. Now I had to buy each family a book of Dinosaurs so they can read up and identify them. We all know if you were here how excited you would be and that you would know everyone one of them. I miss you John. I know I’ll be with you one day and that helps. Keep smiling for me.
I Love you Sweetie Peteie
Blondie
robin matherson says:
October 3, 2008
sweetie, I’m so sorry I haven’t written in a while So much going on here. but know in my mind I’m always talking to you every day. I’ll be back to write later. love you s000000000000 much xxxxooooo blondie.
Letha Sylvester says:
October 6, 2008
To: Robin, Billy, Becky, Betty & all of your families
From: Dean Sylvester & his Children in Iowa;
Larry, Linda, Letha and Lyle;
& all of their families
Written by: Letha Sylvester
You have our family’s deepest, deepest sympathy. My Dad was really, really upset to hear about John’s death. He thought alot of him and was very proud of John’s accomplishments. My Dad was looking forward to maybe coming out to CA and seeing all of you, and especially seeing your Uncle Everett.
Billy knows my Dad and can fill the rest of you in on things. John and Billy seem to have a special connection with my Dad They are all 3 motorheads and love racing!!!. My Dad, Dean, will be 80 years old next May 29th, and he is helping a young guy build a race car as I write this. He is working on the motor and all the other innards! He still rides a Yamaha 750 motorcycle and was thinking he would get his Indian Chief restoration done and ride it to CA to see Everett and all of you kids. I think you can see now why my Dad and John and Billy have this special connection!
Oh, and another connection is we’re all related!!! My Dad and John’s mom, Betty, were 1st cousins their mothers were sistersand they all grew up together in Iowa. Uncle Everett and my Dad still call and write letters to each other. They have stayed in contact all these years between CA and IA. They were very close when they were kids, teens, and young men, here in Iowa, and they have lots of good stories about their adventures!!
I was thinking about Dad & Everett today and thought I would try and contact John’s family. I found this web site and have loved reading the letters and seeing the photos.
Billy, give my Dad a call sometime. I know he would love to hear from you. Please encourage him to get out there to see Uncle Everett and the rest of you. I have free plane tickets for him to go, and money is not an issue, but getting him on a plane is another story! He hasn’t been on a plane since 1953 when he was in the Army fighting in the Korean Conflict and I’m sure those plane rides were not good! John and I had exchanged emails about trying to get Dad out there. I know my Dad is devastated that he did not get out there before this happened to John. Let’s hope we can get him and Everett together before something happens to one of them. Lots more about all this, but I have rambled on long enough for now. Billy, if you have an email address, please send it to me at:
jlhlas1@yahoo.com,
as I would like to discuss this further with you, to see if we can make this reunion happen. I know some encouragement from out there might help. Larry is retired and offered to go with him on the plane, so that will help.
Dad will really enjoy seeing all the pictures you have here in the photo gallery.
Again you all have our heartfelt sympathy in this tragic loss of a great man. I was just reading some of the emails from people in the Guestbook, and I can tell that John was a very, very special man. I can’t imagine the loss you must feel. Just know that everyone is pulling for you all to get through this difficult time in your lives.
Sincerely,
Letha Ann Sylvester
Here’s our info in case you want to get in touch:
Dean Sylvester
503 Young St.
Hedrick, Iowa 52653
641-653-2343
No email
Letha Sylvester
1408 W. Main St.
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-4320
jlhlas1@yahoo.com