Sherman- Lt. Col. Keith Matson USAF Ret., a former resident of Durant, OK passed away peacefully at his home in Sherman, TX on September 19, 2017. He was 89. Visitation will be held Thursday 5:30-7:00pm September 21, 2017 at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman. Graveside services will be held Friday 2:00pm September 22, 2017 at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman. Pastor Rick Matson will officiate.

Keith was born March 25, 1928 in Burke, SD., to Hakon and Emma (Egeland) Matson. He was a 1946 graduate of Burke High School and went on to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1951. Upon graduation from the academy he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He met and married his wife Eileen (Kimzey) in 1952 at Reese AFB, Lubbock, TX. To that union was born two daughters, Patricia and Karen, both of Sherman, TX. Keith is survived by his two daughters, 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

During his 28 year career as an Air Force Officer and pilot, Keith qualified in a number of aircraft including props, jets, interceptors, executive and cargo planes. In mid-1950's, at Ladd (now Eielson) AFB, Fairbanks, AK, Keith detoured Russian aircraft away from U.S. airspace in his favorite aircraft, the F-89 Scorpion.

While flying executive aircraft, one of his memorable passengers was then Senator Barry Goldwater (AZ). Keith also flew briefings from Andrews AFB near Washington, DC to Austin, TX for President L.B. Johnson. During his long career he earned multiple medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross as command pilot of the C-130 for resupply missions of the Marines at Khe Sanh, Republic of Viet Nam. Keith retired from the Air Force in 1979 at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM.

Keith was known for his friendly smile, warm personality and sense of humor. Keith will be sorely missed by a host of family and friends from coast to coast.