1929
George
2011
George Matteson, Jr.
February 27, 1929 — May 16, 2011
GEORGE C. MATTESON, JR.
George C Matteson, Jr., 82, Overland Park, passed away on May 16, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, 66th and Mission Road on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1 pm. Friends may call at Newcomers’ Sons Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS between 6 pm and 8 pm on Thursday, May 19, 2011. A private burial service will be held at Mt. Moriah Cemetery following the church service. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the Village Presbyterian Church Endowment Trust or Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation, 1228 Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO.
George was born on February 27, 1929 in Kansas City, MO., to George Sr. and Bernice H. Matteson. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1946 where he lettered in basketball and track, and received his BS in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, in 1950. His college fraternal affiliation was Beta Theta Pi.
After service two years in the navy during the Korean War George worked in a variety of marketing and management positions for an automotive parts manufacturer. In 1965 he entered the family business. In 1966 he reorganized the company and launched a new venture as a supplier of playing cards to the gaming and promotional products markets. Over the next 25 years the company prospered. The GEMACO brand became a highly respected and significant supplier to both markets. In 1992 George and his associates sold the company. He served as chairman emeritus until his retirement in 1994.
His time, energy and talents were also invested in community, church, family and professional volunteerism in independence where his business was located, and his home base in Kansas City. George served on the board of directors of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, the Independence Council for Economic Development (A founder and first president), the Independence Community Betterment Council, Truman Heartland Foundation, and Noland Road Bank. His Kansas City activities included serving on the board of the Kansas City Mercantile Bank, service on the MCCUE-Parker Center, with a mission of finding suitable jobs for inner city residents and mentoring minority entrepreneurs in organizing and managing a business. He served on the Service Corps of retired Executives and the Board of directors Midwest Ear Institute from 2005 thru 2011.
George was a long time member of Kansas City Rotary Club 13 and a member of its Board of Directors from 1990 to 1992. He was an enthusiastic and successful fund raiser for the Club 13 Youth Camp and the Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation. He served as Foundation president for two years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow.
George was a member of Village Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He served as an usher for many years and was a leader in organizing and executing capital campaigns. He was instrumental in organizing the Village Church Endowment Trust and was honored to serve as its first chairman.
Service to his industry included two terms on the Board of Directors of Promotional Products Association, a 6000 member trade organization. He was elected chairman of the board for 1991-1992, and was elected to the industry hall of fame in 2002.
Family was essential to Georges’ well being. During his two sons growing up years, he found time to be a den leader, pack master of the Cub Scout organization, coach of his boys’ basketball teams, manager of the baseball team and head cheerleader for the boys and their teammates. There was an abundance of hiking, camping, hunting and fishing expeditions and trips to La Jolla and Breckenridge to fill in the cracks.
George was a member of Mission Hills Country Club, The Carriage Club, The Vanguard Club and the Society of Fellows.
He is survived by his wife, Margot, with whom he shared love, respect, and close friendship, two devoted sons, Scott and his finace, Terrie of Shawnee, KS and Brian, of Leawood, KS; Eight Grandchildren, Jennifer and Scott Matteson, Jr., Mark and Maggie Matteson, Alex, Jordan and Devin Smith and Hayley Shipper; his brother and sister-in-law Duncan and Shirley Matteson Palo Alto, CA., sister Nancy Hoke of Peoria, AZ, Step daughters Kelly and her husband Courtney Canova of Oveido, FL and Karen and her husband Geoff Shipper of Palm City, FL.
Dad touched the lives of many people and he shared his loved with us all. We are forever grateful to have had him in our lives and are truly feel blessed because of him. His laughter was infectious, his smile was endearing and his love overflowing. He shared his wisdom without being asked and was a friend to all. We will love you forever !
Share a memory, sign an online guestbook, or express your condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com
George C Matteson, Jr., 82, Overland Park, passed away on May 16, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, 66th and Mission Road on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1 pm. Friends may call at Newcomers’ Sons Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS between 6 pm and 8 pm on Thursday, May 19, 2011. A private burial service will be held at Mt. Moriah Cemetery following the church service. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the Village Presbyterian Church Endowment Trust or Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation, 1228 Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO.
George was born on February 27, 1929 in Kansas City, MO., to George Sr. and Bernice H. Matteson. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1946 where he lettered in basketball and track, and received his BS in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, in 1950. His college fraternal affiliation was Beta Theta Pi.
After service two years in the navy during the Korean War George worked in a variety of marketing and management positions for an automotive parts manufacturer. In 1965 he entered the family business. In 1966 he reorganized the company and launched a new venture as a supplier of playing cards to the gaming and promotional products markets. Over the next 25 years the company prospered. The GEMACO brand became a highly respected and significant supplier to both markets. In 1992 George and his associates sold the company. He served as chairman emeritus until his retirement in 1994.
His time, energy and talents were also invested in community, church, family and professional volunteerism in independence where his business was located, and his home base in Kansas City. George served on the board of directors of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, the Independence Council for Economic Development (A founder and first president), the Independence Community Betterment Council, Truman Heartland Foundation, and Noland Road Bank. His Kansas City activities included serving on the board of the Kansas City Mercantile Bank, service on the MCCUE-Parker Center, with a mission of finding suitable jobs for inner city residents and mentoring minority entrepreneurs in organizing and managing a business. He served on the Service Corps of retired Executives and the Board of directors Midwest Ear Institute from 2005 thru 2011.
George was a long time member of Kansas City Rotary Club 13 and a member of its Board of Directors from 1990 to 1992. He was an enthusiastic and successful fund raiser for the Club 13 Youth Camp and the Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation. He served as Foundation president for two years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow.
George was a member of Village Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He served as an usher for many years and was a leader in organizing and executing capital campaigns. He was instrumental in organizing the Village Church Endowment Trust and was honored to serve as its first chairman.
Service to his industry included two terms on the Board of Directors of Promotional Products Association, a 6000 member trade organization. He was elected chairman of the board for 1991-1992, and was elected to the industry hall of fame in 2002.
Family was essential to Georges’ well being. During his two sons growing up years, he found time to be a den leader, pack master of the Cub Scout organization, coach of his boys’ basketball teams, manager of the baseball team and head cheerleader for the boys and their teammates. There was an abundance of hiking, camping, hunting and fishing expeditions and trips to La Jolla and Breckenridge to fill in the cracks.
George was a member of Mission Hills Country Club, The Carriage Club, The Vanguard Club and the Society of Fellows.
He is survived by his wife, Margot, with whom he shared love, respect, and close friendship, two devoted sons, Scott and his finace, Terrie of Shawnee, KS and Brian, of Leawood, KS; Eight Grandchildren, Jennifer and Scott Matteson, Jr., Mark and Maggie Matteson, Alex, Jordan and Devin Smith and Hayley Shipper; his brother and sister-in-law Duncan and Shirley Matteson Palo Alto, CA., sister Nancy Hoke of Peoria, AZ, Step daughters Kelly and her husband Courtney Canova of Oveido, FL and Karen and her husband Geoff Shipper of Palm City, FL.
Dad touched the lives of many people and he shared his loved with us all. We are forever grateful to have had him in our lives and are truly feel blessed because of him. His laughter was infectious, his smile was endearing and his love overflowing. He shared his wisdom without being asked and was a friend to all. We will love you forever !
Share a memory, sign an online guestbook, or express your condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com
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