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Neal Matson Obituary

Neal was raised in the little Hudson River town of Athens, New York, graduated from Coxsackie-Athens Central School in 1961, earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in geology from St. Lawrence University in 1965 and a Master of Arts in geology from the University of Colorado in 1967. He worked as a geologist in Canada's Northwest Territory in the summer of 1965.
He was married in 1964 to Linda Leolani Pyle and they had three children, Christine, Sonja and Erik.
He came to Alaska in 1967 to work as a young and handsome geologist with the USGS in the eastern Alaska Range. In 1973, he left that career to build a cabin and live with his family in what is now Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and work seasonally as a field geologist and assistant big game guide. He divorced and returned to the USGS this time as a hydrologist.
He spent one year ('76-'77) in Hawaii and worked briefly on Enewetak Atoll under a University of Hawaii contract with the U.S. military. While in the 50th state, he met Jesus and began his Christian walk.
He returned to his beloved Alaska, moved back into the bush and sought a wife through snail mail correspondence while he worked locally as a carpenter and camp cook. He worked the summer of 1980 evaluating water crossings for the future (still unbuilt) gas line and developed his postal courtship with Felisa Ruiz Terminaz.
At field season's end he flew to Hong Kong to finally meet her, and they married shortly thereafter (Oct. 23) in the Philippines. That winter he built a nipa hut where they stayed until Alaska warmed up the next spring.
They lived in his cabin until the last gasp of the old Homestead Law enabled them to stake claims on the Nabesna Road in 1984. They founded Homestead Christian Church in the new settlement on Easter Sunday, 1985, when another couple joined them in their home church service.
They sold their 10-acre homestead in 1994 and moved to Fairbanks, where Neal taught a volunteer class in American culture at UAF, created the Frozen Fowl Shot Tournament for the American Cancer Society, organized an all-night public Bible reading over summer solstice 2000, ran for State Senate that same year, and wrote the monthly column "The Missionary Position" in the Ester Republic.
Lisa graduated to heaven, peacefully and painlessly at home, as Neal prayed and held her hand on Feb. 9, 2017.
Neal was reunited with her on Nov. 23, 2017. Now Neal and Lisa are together again, forever.
Neal is survived by his three children, granddaughter, Shayna Matson; grandson, Bradley Matson; honorary son, Zhong Lu; and honorary daughter, Bing Shi.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily News-Miner on Dec. 3, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Neal Matson

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4 Entries

Jerry Bouwens

June 11, 2021

Hey old buddy, you led the way again, I’ll be along shortly.

Lo Montigue

December 11, 2017

Neal, my Earth Angel.
Rest my brother, rest.

Lo Montigue

December 11, 2017

My Friend & Brother, I miss you more than words can express. I call the house just to hear your voice on answering machine but nothing can replace those daily conversations and profound words of wisdom that I'd grown accustomed to hearing daily.
I know you're in a better place, rejoicing with your beloved Lisa but I still miss you terribly. Through the grief and tears I manage a little smile when I realize that you lived and transitioned in the very way you wanted to, and reading the very book I'd asked you to. I take that as a personal message! SMILES & Tears!
Your kindness will forever be cherished. You made a huge, unselfish difference in this chaotic world. Thank you, for the daily prayers, my brother. I thank you for the reportee of funny jokes and the gentle laughter I can still hear ringing from your voice. I'm so blessed by your friendship. OMG, I miss you so much. The lives you touched are profoundly changed. You were my Earth Angel and I'll always carry you in my heart.
Neal, you made a difference.
Rest my brother, rest!

LIam Wescott

December 5, 2017

Thank you for being my friend for almost 24 years, Neal. I will always cherish the memories of hanging out at your place, talking politics, religion, the state of the world, and everything in between.

Thank you and Lisa for being my spiritual anchor and for letting me share your lives with mine.

Rest in peace, Neal. You did good.

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