Vail Daily obituary: Smokey Matheson, 1932-2013
Kenneth “Smokey” Matheson passed away Thursday in Rifle.
He was born Jan. 5, 1932, in Minturn and lived there his entire life. He only left to join the Marines from 1952 to 1954.
He met his beloved wife, Bertha, in high school in Minturn, and they were married in 1956 in Taos, N.M.
In 1959, their only child, a son, Dirk, was born.
Smokey was in love with all sports — baseball was his favorite — and he played golf into his 70s.
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He is survived by his sister, Margaret (Gene), and son Dirk.
He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Scottie and Pearl Matheson; and three brothers, Don (Betty Jo), Morris (Ruth Hayes), and Pete (Marg).
A celebration of Smokey’s life will be held at the Eagle-Vail Pavilion on Saturday at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Shaw Cancer Center.
