"We are deeply sad learning of John passing,pleace accept our sincere condolences.
God be with you Jane,Randy and Christina.
"
In loving memory of
John Mathison
September 4, 1949 - October 24, 2016
John Martin Mathison, age 67, died in Ames, IA, on Monday, October 24, 2016. John was born September 4, 1949, the son of Richard K. and Patricia (Jeffery) Mathison of Ames. He graduated from Ames High School in 1967 and attended Iowa State University, where he received a degree in business.
Upon graduation, John joined the family business at Mathison Ford, Ltd., a car dealership started by his grandfather in 1913. After John sold the dealership in 1990, he continued to operate Mathison Auto Body and Paint. John also worked at Iowa State University Extension and Contemporary Concepts, Inc. He was retired at the time he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015.
John married Jane Melson in June 1976, in Muscatine, IA. The couple have a son, Randall, and a daughter, Margaret, and just celebrated their 40th anniversary this past summer.
John had many interests and talents, but his most lasting impact is the strong family relationships he nurtured. He taught his children the finer points of life while spending summer weekends sailing and waterskiing. John's other interests included computers, programming, cars, music, and dogs. He enjoyed driving vacations with his family to all fifty states and much of Canada. He even exported his friendly Iowa driving to Europe, where he squared off with taxi drivers and boldly navigated roads built only for chariots (and perhaps some built only for bicycles).
John also served on boards in his church and the Ames Noon Rotary. He devoted hours to his children's activities, including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, AHS Band Boosters, Science Olympiad, and US FIRST.
John is survived by his wife Jane, son Randall (Christina) of Columbus, Ohio, and daughter Margaret of Ames, Iowa; his brother Mark (Rebecca) of Noblesville, Indiana; brother-in-law James (Arlene) Melson of Muscatine, Iowa; nieces and nephews Scott (Amy) Mathison, Jeffery (Tracy) Mathison, Sally (Tripp) Mathison Holt, Christopher Melson, Stephanie (Michael) Melson Shephard, and Katherine (Matthew) Melson Johnson; and his aunt, Elizabeth Freeman, and his uncle, Theodore Jeffery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Patricia Mathison.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United Way of Story County, the Northcrest Foundation, or the Ames Animal Shelter.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016, at Grandon Funeral Home, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames. A service to celebrate John's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University, Ames.
Tributes
"John sold me my very first car! A RED Mustang; my senior year of high school - she was a sweet beauty. John and his family were our neighbors for many years. Sorry to hear of his passing.
God's Peace.
Paula Martin "
"Hate to hear about John but i knew him as Christine person who believed in god and also give me a lot to think about in life and also to enjoy the finer things in life. My god bless John's family during this difficult time. "
"We have so many wonderful memories of special times spent with John and his family. Our deepest condolences to Jane, Margie, Randy, and Christina. "
"I was deeply saddened by learning of John's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences."