Daryl Jon Matson

Daryl Jon Matson (61) of Selah, Washington passed away November 11, 2015 at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, Washington after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 23, 1954 to Joan (Bakker) and Richard “Dick” Matson of Selah, Wa.

Daryl attended Selah schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1972. After High School, Daryl went on to YVCC and then University of Washington to study business and communication. Daryl maintained his Husky pride with decades of football season tickets. Daryl attended as many games as possible to tailgate with his lifelong Husky friends and cheer on his team, including several trips to the Rose Bowl. He amassed a large collection of model football stadiums that were displayed throughout his home. Daryl’s advice to all those selecting a college was “Make sure they have a good football team.”

After college graduation, Daryl returned home to work with the family business, Matson Fruit Company, where he worked with harvest trucking and dispatch and managing the cull fruit inventory. As the business grew and became more complex, Daryl formed and managed the HR department for the company. He was extremely thorough and thoughtful in all that he did for the employees of the business.

Daryl loved the family’s Nile Creek Ranch. In all stages of his life he would frequently take long walks along the creek, at times enjoying the solitude and other times bonding with family. Daryl’s love of water extended to Cannon Beach, boating in the San Juan Islands, and the ponds on the ranch. He particularly enjoyed flowing water, which is attested to by the several water features he had built around and in his home.

Daryl was very intellectually curious. He was an avid crossword puzzler and would spend two to three nights a week doing crossword puzzles with his mom. He also loved to read. He was interested in learning about everything from sports stadiums to Lincoln’s assassination. Daryl even had a library card for the Cannon Beach Library in case he needed new material while on vacation.

Growing up, Daryl always wanted to be a radio announcer. Daryl and his brother Bradley played a game of watching sports games with the sound turned off and would pretend to be the announcers themselves. Sometimes Daryl recorded their announcing for later editing, playback, and critique. At least once, he secretly recorded the actual announcers to compare with their own attempts. Cousins Debra and Durene would often join the brothers in making other mock broadcasts. The crowning achievement was “The Boat Movie”, which chronicled the journey of a bath toy boat being washed down the drain. It was never finished but put all of Daryl’s announcing and editing skills to the test.

Daryl had a wonderful sense of humor that manifested itself in different ways. Christmas was the highlight of his entire year. His appearance at the family Christmas Eve celebration was much anticipated as he stepped in the door dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge, calling out “Bah Humbug!” All of his Christmas gifts were generous, very witty, and considered the recipients interests; the pinnacle of this was a decades-long tradition of giving his brother, Rod, a very strange and funny hat every year. He also would love to “help” his nephews Jason and Jordan “unpack” and “inspect” their Christmas toys the day after Christmas. Having no children of his own, he cherished the relationships he had with his nieces and nephews and their children.

Daryl is survived by: his mother Joan Matson of Selah, Wa; two brothers Rod (Carmen) Matson of Selah, Wa and Bradley Matson (Melissa Taylor) of Portland, Or; Aunt Mary Ann Nelson of Yakima, Wa; cousins Roy Matson (Clyde), Ross Matson, Debra Adams (Chuck), Durene Nelson; nephews Jason Matson (Jamie), Jordan Matson (Amy), Gabriel Matson (Mary); nieces Jessica Stickel (Michael), Samara Wartes; and nine great-nieces and nephews; Nieces; Tina Longmire (Brian), Angela Ringer (Ryan), Jennifer Fife, and lifetime friends Craig Sundquist (Caroline), Eric Nelson (Mary), Fred Bauman, John Elliot.. Daryl was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, Richard Matson, uncle James “Jim” Matson, uncle Herb Nelson, and cousin Les Matson.

The family would like to extend thanks to Dr. Zingerman, Dr. Chenal and the staff at North Star Lodge, and the staff at Cottage in the Meadow and special thanks Carmen for all the meals, companionship, and loving care especially in the past month.

According to Daryl’s wishes there will be no service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Star Lodge or a charity of your choice in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98902.

To Share a memory of Daryl, please visit www.keithandkeith.com .