Clifford C. Matteson's Obituary
Like Father, Like Son
Ralph & Novella Matteson joined the legions of proud parents in baby-boom America when they welcomed their first born son Clifford into this world on April 8, 1950. Ralph was a well-known member of the community in Tacoma, Washington and instilled deep values of family, love, faith and generosity in his children, Cliff, Connie, Chris, Cathy, Chuck and Carl.
Growing up in Tacoma, Cliff was an active, adventurous lad who learned to appreciate the great outdoors. Camping, Scouting, fishing, baseball, gold panning and rock hounding became his lifelong passions. With easy likeability and an innate commitment to always putting others first, he forged enduring friendships as he made his way through Edison Elementary, Gray Jr. High, and Mt. Tahoma High.
A Mentor, Coach and MVP Big Brother
Cliff was awe-inspiring to his little sisters. Chris in particular recalls how he included her in his many adventures, taking her under his wing to share his love and knowledge of tadpole fishing, salamander catching and frog chasing. She owes her later success as catcher on her own baseball team to the many hours she spent helping Cliff practice his fast pitch. With Ralph as coach of his baseball team, Cliff developed a skilled fastball and shared countless trophies with his teammates. Win or lose, Ralph was always there to help the team celebrate a game well played with a buffet dinner or ice cream at Farrels.
The High School Sweetheart and Girl Next Door
Young Connie Gittins really didn’t have an option. She was drawn into the Matteson family and community adventures from an early age. The solid teammate bonds that formed between her brothers and Cliff, along with her friendship with his sisters, inevitably led her to fall into step as Cliff’s girlfriend. The romance began when Connie learned of Cliff’s crush on her in ninth grade. She was smitten. Cliff sealed the deal at Christmas in 1969. After a Christmas Eve family party, followed by a viewing of local neighborhood Christmas lights, Cliff surprised Connie with an engagement ring and proposal. On Christmas Day Connie was presented with a special pearl and diamond pendant and chain that she still cherishes today. They were married the following October in the Logan, Utah Temple.
By this time, Cliff had completed a two-year degree at Tacoma Community College then accepted a job at the Hygrade meat packing plant in Tacoma. He rapidly progressed to a supervisory role in the rendering department, mastering the science of manufacturing a variety of industrial meat by-products. Cliff gained notoriety due to his development of a special process of taking inedible by-products and producing grease and oil fit for human consumption. So much so that many clients would not purchase Hygrade’s oils unless Cliff had been the one producing them. With his burgeoning interest in inventing and his skill at always masterminding ingenious, efficient ‘techniques’, most people always assumed he had studied chemistry or engineering, when in reality his degree had been in Psychology.
Whatever Cliff set his mind to accomplish, he did it with a bare minimum of 110% effort. He was known for his dedication and work ethic, and rarely if ever took a sick day. He did, however, always take full advantage of his allotted vacations.
A Loving Father
Connie and Cliff were a very lucky couple. Their names were drawn from a lottery for a HUD repossessed two-bedroom home just down the street from where they both lived! The cost? A whopping $10,150. They realized that they would only be able to afford a monthly mortgage of $100 but this worked out perfectly for the young couple as the payment turned out to be just $99 per month. Over the years this became the happy home to exactly what the couple had hoped for: one boy and four girls; Cliff, Sheila, Teresa, Kimberley and Jennifer. When the home became too small they decided to add an addition of three bedrooms, another bath, a family room and a sewing room for Connie.
The children hold many fond memories of camping trips and outdoor adventures with their family. In trademark Cliff style, no detail was ever overlooked and no effort was spared to create meaningful, happy moments. From their decked-out, sawdust covered campsites to their best-in-class parade floats; from the motorcycle rides to the jump rope competitions; from the agate hunts to the campfire breakfasts . . . everything was planned to expect the unexpected, to inspire delight and to teach a life lesson.
Cliff, an Eagle Scout himself, became the Scout Master for his own children’s Boy Scout activities. He was the envy of all other troops with his exciting door rafting excursions, hair-raising boat maneuvers and learning-driven treasure hunts that inspired children to think, plan, use a compass, collaborate as a team and go for the prize.
When Hygrade moved their plant operations to California, Cliff and his family opted to remain in their Tacoma home. He launched his own pest control business and eventually took on the role of Custodian with the Tacoma Public Works Department. He thoroughly enjoyed this position during the thirteen-plus years that he worked there, and his co-workers appreciated his generosity: on several occasions, he ‘donated’ his sick leave allowance to others who needed additional time off.
“Be Good to Each Other”
Cliff was famous for his innovative thoughts and big ideas. He was frugal, inventive and engaging. In addition to the Boy Scout activities, he was very involved with youth sports within the community and within the Church. His dedication inspired people to become more active in both sectors. In the community Cliff joined the All Rockhound’s Pow-Wow Club of America where his expertise and passion inspired many others in gold panning and rock hounding. He quickly moved from Member to Director to VP and finally multiple terms as President, his current position at his passing.
At church, with his trademark blue sweater and uncoordinated wardrobe choices, he could not have been more honest, down-to-earth and approachable. A true, natural teacher, Cliff had a way of getting an important message across in innovative, practical ways. His most important message echoed the Golden Rule. He attracted children like the Pied Piper with his fun spirit, his interesting lessons and, of course, the crinkling sound of candy and Smarties in his pockets, which later became sparkling tumbled stones which the children seemed to enjoy even more. He was highly effective at church as he served in many capacities such as Second Counselor to the Bishop, Sunday School President, Stake Sports Director, and a Home Teacher. As a Home Teacher, his ability to listen to others, to show real empathy and to provide counsel was always appreciated. He had a special way of encouraging people to believe in themselves as well as others and, most importantly, to respect others.
Cliff was a man who was full of life and love for the world around him. He was a master storyteller and extremely knowledgeable about most everything. Most of all, he achieved great satisfaction from watching other people learn, enjoy themselves, be successful and be happy. He was rarely inactive; even when he was not apparently busy, his mind was going full tilt racing the family Volkswagen bus as a teenager, speeding across the lake with his young children in his classic Cabin Cruiser, and towing the camping trailer on rock digs with the grand children.
We lost this gentle, generous, patient man far too early. His life lessons, however, will remain with us forever. Every time we see a sparkle of gold glinting from the water, every time we come across a magically planted agate, every time we espy that perfect rock, we will think of Cliff. His thoughtful words will echo with a deep message and an ounce of humor: “If it’s a good rock for you, my friend, then it’s a good rock.”
What’s your fondest memory of Clifford?
What’s a lesson you learned from Clifford?
Share a story where Clifford's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Clifford you’ll never forget.
How did Clifford make you smile?