Gary E. Matson

Gary Edward Matson, 68, passed away January 2, 2021 at Grand Strand Regional  Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was born April 30, 1952, in Rockingham, NC, a son of the late Walter Matson and Marie Evelyn Blanche (Thompking) Matson. Gary was a younger brother to the late Joan Skorupa from Raliegh, NC.
In June of 1971 Gary received his high school diploma from the county of St. Clair, Illinois and then married his high school sweetheart Sandra Thompson. Two years later in 1973 Gary joined the army and first became a Hawk Missile crew member for nearly six years until he became an Aircraft Powertrain repair mechanic for helicopters. He was stationed in several locations across the U.S. as well as in Germany.
Gary was an E5 Sergeant in Fort Benning, GA when he left the Army in 1981. After leaving the service he and Sandy moved their family to Myrtle Beach, SC where his mother lived at the time. During Gary’s life his professional career evolved from U.S. Postal Carrier, restaurant manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield manager, and then on to motorcycle mechanic at the V-Twin dealership.
In the early 2000’s Gary and his son Jay Matson purchased Mr. Subs on 544 in Surfside. They put their own twist on it and turned it into what became Surf Subz & More. At this sub shop they met and made many great friends in the community such as the Jackson family, owners of Ocean Lakes. Unknowingly this sub shop would become a great hub for making lifelong friends. After selling the sub shop, Gary transitioned to working for Mr. Jackson and Ocean Lakes where he worked until retirement.
Anyone who knew Gary found him to be the life of the party. Always telling funny & captivating stories of his life. He had great love for his family & music. You could always find him singing & listening to his favorites like the Beatles, Jim Croche, Janis Joplin, & Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few. Gary enjoyed adventure in his life. He had a great love for the ocean and surfing as well as other things such as riding his motorcycles. He definitely enjoyed riding really fast in front of a gang of his friends and would leave them in a dusty trail of his rear-view mirror.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Angie Matson Reed, her husband Jason C. Reed, their two children Megan & Gabriel & a son, Jay Andrew Matson, his wife Syble Creech Matson & their daughter Madeleine.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Ocean Lakes Campground Recreation Center. Those that would like to attend will tell the security guard you are there for Gary Matson’s memorial service for entry.

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