David Mattson

Dave was born September 2, 1925 in Evanston, IL, the youngest of five boys. His father died of cancer when Dave was only 4 years old, leaving his mother with 5 boys under the age of 10 during the Depression. Dave has no memory of his father but has always said his brothers were his “heroes’ and helped raise him.

Anyone that knows Dave at all, knows he LOVES sports. As a boy he played all sports and in high school he was on the track team. He played intramural and league basketball and softball, well into his 50’s. His single greatest past time was watching sports on TV. He was especially passionate when his KSU Wildcats were playing football or basketball. Another passion was Dave’s love of music, especially classical and 1940’s oldies. A radio was almost always playing his favorite music in the car or at home.

Dave graduated from Topeka High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corp (now the Air Force) at the age of 17. While waiting to turn 18, he attended Washburn University for 1 semester. He served his country as a B-29 navigator. Imagine navigating a plane using the sun, moon, stars and a map! There was no technology back then to do it for you. When Dave returned from the war, he attended Kansas State University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Theta Xi fraternity. One of his fraternity brothers, also named David, wanted him to meet his sister. So, a blind date was arranged with Helen Livers, and after dating 2 years, Dave proposed at a fraternity dance. Married June 3, 1949, Dave and Helen began their life together.

Their early years of marriage were spent in Kansas City where Dave worked for a trucking company. A new opportunity moved them to Topeka, Ks and while living there they adopted 2 daughters, Lisa and Anne. In 1964, Dave began working for Farmland Industries in Kansas City in the Engineering Division, where he remained until his retirement. They lived in Overland Park. Dave and Helen traveled extensively all their married lives, usually camping in a trailer. They took their girls to every US state, Canada and Mexico. When their girls were married and on their own, Dave and Helen spent many winters in Arizona, and continued to enjoy traveling.

Dave’s passion for 40 years was making trips to Lansing Prison to conduct Bible Studies with inmates as a volunteer. He and Helen hosted many former prisoners in their home, helping them to adjust to life after serving their time. He was the only chaplain’s assistant allowed in “The Hole” (solitary confinement), as he was so trusted and loved. The theme of his life has been guided by his faith in God - grace and mercy. He’s always been for the “underdog”. Dave and Helen were also on the Young Life Committee in Johnson County for many years and were committed to teens coming to know Christ.

Dave was a resident of Benton House of Lenexa for almost 5 years. He and Helen moved there when Dave could no longer care for her at home. He was her constant companion and he served her without complaint for their entire marriage of 67 years. Helen passed away in 2017.

His daughters agree that he was a great dad, giving big hugs and big smiles. He had a soft heart, and was an eternal optimist. He leaves behind his daughters Lisa Smith (Arthur) and Anne Lynch (David), his 6 grandchildren and their spouses, and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021 at Hillcrest Covenant Church 8801 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, KS. Interment with Full Military Honors in Leavenworth National Cemetery 150 Muncie Road Leavenworth, Kansas 66048. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers it would please Dave if memorial contributions were made in his memory to: Prison Fellowship.

Donations can made:

- By phone at 1-877-478-0100, mentioning that the donation is in memory of David Mattson.

- By mail at PO Box 1550 Merrifield, VA 22116, please write “In Memory of David Mattson” in the memo section of the check or include a note specifying that the gift is in his memory.

- Online at www.prisonfellowship.org, if made online, donors can forward their donation confirmation to [email protected] and mention that it is in memory of David Mattson.

Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com