Gary Matthews, 80 years young, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Titusville,Pennsylvania, the son of William Matthews and JoAnne Van Gieson. He graduated from Titusville High School in 1962 and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1966. He taught choir and general music at Rebank Valley High School in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for 2 years.

Fulfilling his lifelong dream of Alaska, he traveled with his young family and wife, Linda, across the country in a Volkswagen bus to Haines. Gary and his family lived in Haines for 25 years teaching music and eventually becoming Haines High School Principal and activities director.

While in Haines he completed a Masters program in Administration and received a Master degree from University of Alaska Southeast. His support for extracurricular activities and their importance for all students brought him to Anchorage in 1993 to accept the role of Executive Director of Alaska School Activities Association.

Gary’s vision went beyond activities and athletics; they included The Alaska High School Hall of Fame and the tobacco, alcohol and drug free policy that led to “Play For Keeps, Win For Life” and the Alaska Endowment For Youth Activities.

Gary was also an advocate for Alaska Special Olympics and served as President and Board member for a number of years. He was the mastermind behind “March Madness Alaska “ the continuing premier basketball event held each March.

He was inducted into the Alaska High School Hall of Fame in 2016, he served on the National Federation of High Schools from 1997-2000 and was presented with a NFHS Citation at their Summer meeting in 2014.

In 2021 he was presented with The Jim Balamaci Legacy Award by Special Olympics Alaska. Gary dedicated his life to the youth of Alaska. He retired in 2014 after 21 years at the helm of ASAA.

His love of hunting, fishing and travel in the motor harem as well as volunteering at his church kept him busy in his retirement years. His sense of humor, positive outlook and constant smile will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Linda, son, David and daughter-in-law Brenda, son-in-law Thomas Gandee, daughter Melissa, granddaughter Angelique Amsbary, grandsons Nathan Gandee and Benjamin Iverslie, sister Patricia Kingsley and brother-in-law Robert.

A celebration of Life will be held at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Oceanview Drive on October 12th at 2:00 p.m.

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