Paul Mattson

Paul Mattson of Queen Creek, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2024 of complications related to Atypical Parkinsonism. He was born the third of four children to Rita Causgrove and Leonard Mattson in Peoria, IL in July 1948. The family moved to California when he was young. After graduating from Bakersfield High School in 1966, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam.

In 1972, Paul attracted the love of his life with his charisma. Linda was the innocent, compassionate, sassy, free-spirited beauty that he needed in his life. He charmed her with silly love letters, adventurous dates and his ambition for a better life. After one year, they were married and planning a family. They had three children: Darci, who passed away at a month old, then Amberly and Adam. Later, Paul was pleased to welcome Amberly’s husband Dan to the family and their sons Payton and Carter. Then, Adam’s wife Misty and their son Sebastian and daughter Daphne.

Paul took pride in working and staying busy. He was employed by Hostess Cake for 30 years. He worked his way up from a Route Sales Driver to the General Sales Manager of Arizona. He earned his MBA from The University of Phoenix in 1991. He felt his best wearing one of his custom suits with a starched shirt and power tie. However, on the weekends, you could find him around the house in an old t-shirt and swim trunks singing Merle Haggard's "Workin' Man Blues", repeating the line "Working man like me, I ain't never been on welfare, that's one place I won't be, cause I'll be working”. After leaving the bakery business, he and Linda purchased a The UPS Store franchise, which he managed with his son Adam, until he retired. He loved owning a neighborhood small business, envisioning himself as the old man store owner in a classic film, sleeping in a recliner in the back of the store, coming out on occasion to greet the customers by name.

When Paul wasn't keeping himself busy with work, he enjoyed drinking beer and playing pool with his brothers, spending time with Linda, gambling, lunch meetings with Adam, watching classic movies or the news, playing golf or watching sports with Dan, laying by the pool, Sunday dinners with the family, playing with his grandchildren or discussing politics. Above all, his family was his prized possession, his legacy and his pride, for whom he gave his unconditional love.

On occasion, when seeking sympathy, (almost prophetically) he would start a sentence, with his eyes looking into the distance, "Someday, when I ride off into the sunset...". In a way, his passing felt like a cowboy riding away on his horse into the setting sun. He is loved and will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.

Paul is preceded in death by his father and mother; sister, Sheila Anderson; brothers, Leonard Mattson, Jr., Ron Mattson, Thomas Mattson, Gerald “John” Mattson; and infant daughters, Jenelle and Darci.

A graveside memorial service and interment of ashes is planned March 9, 2024 at San Tan Memorial Gardens. In remembrance of Paul’s life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

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