Sam Charles Matousek, Jr.

Sam Charles Matousek Jr passed away surrounded by love at home with his family on September 20th, 2023.

Born to Sam and Doris Matousek, March 4th, 1936, in Tacoma, WA.  Sam lived a full life, growing up in the small logging communities of Ashford, National and Alder. Sam was very proud of his logging heritage and local family history. Sam was known for his high climbing and tree falling skills, never turning down a chance to put a tree down or climb and limb one to the top.

Sam graduated from Eatonville High school in 1954, marrying Darlene Rotter in the winter of the same year. After joining the Air Force in 1955, Sam and Darlene spent a short time in Texas, returning home to the Alder and Eatonville area to start their family. During those years, Sam worked in the woods as a faller, joining in the tradition of many family members. Eventually Sam used his skills as a Denturist and Dental Technician gained from his experience in the Airforce, to work and manage dental labs for the US Army at Fort Lewis. Sam retired after 30 years of civil service in 1994, with many valued and lifelong friendships.

His love for family shined through in the many adventures that he would use to teach important life lessons.  Playing catch in the backyard, target shooting at the gun club, cooking a good hotdog on the fire (with the correct way to start a fire), setting someone up on the perfect “stand” for their chance at a buck, long hard hikes, to inviting a household of 18-year-old boys into the family home every summer. Sam loved giving!

Sam spent many hours volunteering his time with the Upper Nisqually Valley Sportsman club. As a lifetime member he held many offices, as well as organizing sporting clay shoots, and providing all-around support.

Sam was a respected and loved member of the community, known for his quiet strength, and big smile. (Just don’t piss him off, he might put you in a head lock!)

Sam was preceded in death by his mother and father Doris and Sam Matousek, his wife Darlene, his daughter Vickie Jumper, his sisters Cora Louise Adams and Adelle Mary Matousek. He is survived by son Michael, daughter Pam and Danny Painter, daughter Kaylee and Adam Garrett, and sister Robin Stadden, his grandchildren, Lynn, Ashley, Cassie, Jimmy, Alex and Nik, and his great grandchildren, Hunter, Kaden, Jannik, and Sammy. Other family includes his cousin Lynette Christensen, Rod and Karen Kelly, Big “D” Denny Deck, and dear friends Dan Johnson, and Ziad Baba.

A celebration of his life will be held October 8th, at 2 p.m. at the Upper Nisqually Sportsman’s Club, 39919 129th Ave East, in Eatonville, please join us.  In lieu of flowers you can honor our dad with a donation in his name to the Gun Club he spent so much time at. The Upper Nisqually Sportsman’s Club 39919 129th Ave East, Eatonville, WA 98328

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