Donald Matheson

Donald Pearce “Don” Matheson, Jr., a dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, entered into his eternal reward at age 76, passing away on October 15, 2021, in Danville, Va. Don was born on Nov. 1, 1944, on Staten Island, N.Y., to U.S. Navy pilot Donald Matheson and his Navy WAVE wife, Madeline. He moved with his family to Virginia’s Hampton Roads region at age seven and graduated from Hampton High School in 1962. A strong student, Don also played on the Crabbers varsity baseball team and was part of Hampton’s American Legion Post 31 team that competed in the 1962 World Series in Bismarck, N.D. A 1967 graduate of Virginia Tech and a member of VPI’s famed Corps of Cadets, Don served in the U.S. Army after graduation and was stationed primarily in South Korea. Following an honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant, he began working for Standard Oil of California (which became Chevron) and later joined the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., where he helped build aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and Eisenhower. Don and his family moved to Danville, Va., in 1978, and he spent the final 28 years of his working career as an electrical engineer at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., retiring in 2006. Known for his wit, integrity, wise counsel, and loving, service-oriented heart, Don was an active 40-year member of College Park Baptist Church, where he is remembered for his scholarly approach to church history and Sacred Scripture. He served in numerous leadership roles for College Park including deacon, trustee, clerk, and committee chairman, and he taught youth and adult Sunday School and participated in both the vocal and handbell choirs. When his two sons were young, Don coached baseball and served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He also volunteered for several years with God’s Storehouse in Danville and was a passionate follower of Virginia Tech sports, especially football. Having just celebrated his 54th wedding anniversary in August, Don is survived by his wife, Peggy; a son, David (Norma); grandchildren Isabel Miller (Gabriel) and Daniel and Sara Matheson; and great grandson Carlos Miller. He is also survived by his sister Jane Tyndall (Steve); brothers Jim (Roxanne) and Bill (Diane); and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceasing Don were his father and mother; his younger son, Robert; and his sister-in-law, Judy Eaton. Don will be buried next to his son, Robert, at Danville Memorial Gardens. Viewing and visitation with the family will take place at Townes Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 22, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held at College Park Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, with interment to follow. For remote viewing, visit the College Park Baptist Facebook page. Rev. Gary Tucker of College Park will preside. In lieu of flowers, the family asks anyone wishing to honor Don to consider a donation in his name to God’s Storehouse at www.godsstorehouse.org.