Malcolm Matheson III

08/15/1937 - 02/07/2026

The family of Malcolm Matheson, III is saddened to announce the sudden passing of their father. Malcolm passed quietly at his home on Saturday, February 7, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia surrounded by family and loved ones after a brief illness. With his characteristic inner strength and courage, he left us on his terms—reconciled and at peace. As always, an inspiration—he was the consummate gentleman, horseman, outdoorsman, and friend to all. For those traits and more, he was beloved by many.
Malcolm follows his bride of 57 years, Gail Crisp Matheson, who passed too soon in December 2016; his youngest brother William John Matheson who passed in 2017; and his parents, Malcolm Matheson, Jr. and Emma Tompkins Matheson of Mt. Vernon, Virginia who passed in 2007. He is survived by his four children: Malcolm Matheson IV (The Plains, VA), Colvin Matheson (McLean, VA), Heather Matheson Ryus (Michael Denslow)(S. Hamilton, MA), and Jeannette Matheson Lussi (Craig)(Gibson Island, MD). Deeply saddened grandchildren (12) and great-grandchildren (5) include: Angus Matheson, Duncan Matheson (Holly) and their daughters Marigold and Sage; Marguerite, Emma, and Lochlan Matheson; Olivia Shouvlin (Andrew) and their children Reece and Henry, Cyrena Penta (Benjamin) and their daughter Fiona, Lily Welch (Brandon), and Gaylan Ryus; and, Hunter, Tyler and Morgan Lussi. He pre-deceases his siblings: Emma Roe (Sandy), Torrey Cooke, Charles Matheson (Julie), and Lida Stifel (Rick). His loss is also mourned by his companion these past seven years, Nancy West. Malcolm's entire family has deep gratitude to Nancy for being in his life these final years.
Malcolm was born in August 1937 in Washington, DC, and he is the eldest son of Malcolm Matheson, Jr. and Emma Tompkins Matheson. Raised near Mt. Vernon, Virginia he attended grade school and high school in Alexandria, Virginia at St. Stephens School (1943-1951) and Episcopal High School graduating in 1955. He studied economics at Princeton University, where he was a member of Tiger Inn. Upon graduation in 1959, Malcolm married Gail Beverly Crisp from Chevy Chase, Maryland and they promptly produced their four children.
Following his father's and his grandfather's (Charles H. Tompkins) footsteps into the building business, in 1960 Malcolm founded and was president of Wellington Construction Co., Inc. which, over the next 25 years, built several subdivisions and acted as contractor on many residential and commercial projects in Virginia, Maryland
and the District of Columbia. In the 1970s he served as the licensed broker for Thomas & Talbot, the local Middleburg real estate agency. After 1985 he closed the active building business and started Matheson Properties, Inc. and concentrated his efforts on commercial leasing and farm sales in the Leesburg and Middleburg areas of Virginia where he has lived since the early 1980's. He successfully developed and managed the Waverly Office Park in Leesburg until selling his share and finally retiring.
Malcolm is a parishioner, past Vestry Member, Jr. Warden, Treasurer, and Trustee of Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, Virginia where he served as President of the church's Little Georgetown Cemetery Foundation. He was also a long-time member of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, DC and the Chevy Chase Club, serving on both boards of governors in the 1970s and 1980s when still residing in the Wesley Heights neighborhood of northwest Washington, DC. Malcolm served on the Chairman's Advisory Council of the Land Trust of Virginia for 17 years until his passing.
Malcolm's primary sports interest centered around his equestrian pursuits, which started in the 1950s. In the 1960s, he chased fox with the Orange County Hunt. As a member of the Orange County Hunt he served as Steward from 1991 to 2004 and as a Joint Master of Foxhounds from 2004 to present. He was elected to the Coaching Club in 1991.
Malcolm was very proud of his Scottish heritage and in the early 1990s the Chief of Clan Matheson asked Malcolm to serve as Chief's Lieutenant for the USA where the global Clan Matheson Society maintains some 300+ members. He served in this role until 2017. He was a Life Member of the St. Andrews Society of Washington, DC.
Malcolm lived an amazing life—the twinkle in his eye captivated all. He was full of good cheer and optimism—always up for some form of hijinks with his dear friends. He was brave, strong, kind, generous, hard-working and the consummate country gentleman. He had a lifetime of making people smile and always sought ways to help others. He lived life to the fullest and went out on his own terms, galloping full tilt to meet Gail in Heaven. For this we celebrate a wonderful life.
Services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 6507 Main Street, The Plains, VA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM. There will be a reception to follow in The Plains. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made in Malcolm's memory to Grace Episcopal Church or the OCH Conservation Foundation at https://ochcf.org
Online condolences may be expressed at www.moserfuneralhome.com