Elwood Mathison

Colonel Elwood M. Mathison (Ret.), 91, of Cheyenne, died peacefully on 1 February 2011, at the Davis Hospice Center surrounded by his family. He was born 7 March 1919, in Laramie, Wyoming, to Sigurd (Sam) M. and Eli Mathison. In 1919, his father inherited the family farm and the family moved to Overhalla, Norway, to reunite with family and in 1921, they returned to settle in Cheyenne. He attended public schools in Cheyenne and graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1936. He was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad until the time of his induction into the United States Army on 22 April 1941, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and he was further assigned to the Ninth Army Corps, Ft. Lewis, Washington. In July 1942, he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School, Camp Lee, Virginia, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant AUS on 13 November 1942. He was then selected to attend the Normoyle Ordnance School, San Antonio, Texas, and upon graduation was assigned to the Air Force Proving Ground Command, Eglin Field, Florida as an Ordnance Maintenance Officer. He was further assigned to the First Guided Missile Group on 1 August 1945 for deployment to an island in the Pacific, but upon the dropping of the atomic bomb on 6 August 1945, the group’s deployment was canceled. He completed his active duty tour on 26 December 1946 and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. In 1948 he joined the Wyoming Air National Guard. On 25 January 1951, he married E. Josephine Ludden in Denver, CO. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict with subsequent assignment on 7 July 1951 to the Headquarters of the 60th Maintenance and Supply Group, Rhein Maine, AB, Germany. Upon completion of his recall period on 27 March 1953, he was released from active duty and returned to Cheyenne. In September 1953, he was employed as an Air National Guard technician as the Air Administrative Assistant to the Wyoming State Adjutant General. He received his Federal Recognition as Colonel 26 February 1960. He retired 7 March 1979 after 38 years of continuous service in the US Army, the Ordnance Corps, Army Air Force, US Air Force, Air Force Reserve and the Wyoming Air National Guard. He was the Founding President of the Wyoming National Guard Association, which was organized in 1966. His service awards include the U S. Air Force Legion of Merit, awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States. He began his community service as a volunteer for Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) in 1953, and was elected into the CFD Heels organization on 22 May 1967. He served as a timer for the timed events during the rodeo and later as a member of the Grounds Committee. In 1979, he was selected to serve as the CFD Grounds Chairman and served through 1982. He remained active in the CFD Buckle Club from 1982 to present. He served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years for their garage sales. He was a life member of the Cheyenne Sheriff’s Posse, the National Guard Association, the Benevolent Proactive Order of Elks, and the Cheyenne Kiwanis Club. As a member of Kiwanis from 1 July 1977, he served on the Board of Directors, the Foundation Board, and as Food Service Chairman for many club and civic projects and maintained a perfect attendance for 32 years.. He was confirmed as a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in 1936, served as Council President in 1969, and volunteer treasurer from 1970 to 2000. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed golfing and bowling. His favorite animals were his beloved hunting dogs and saddle horses. Colonel Mathison was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Eli Mathison, his wife Joey Mathison, two sisters, Helen Gusea and Mabel Ripley, and two brothers, Hoakon and Sverre. He is survived by two daughters: Pamela Blackham (Bob) and Janet Moran (John), both of Cheyenne; four grandchildren, Kelly Child (Joseph Simola), Ryan Child (Angelica), Sean Moran, and Patrick Moran, one step-granddaughter, Lyndi Blackham Harris (Bill), and four great grandchildren: Isabella and Ryder Child, Sophia and Olivia Simola, and two step great granddaughters, Jordan and Kami Harris. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 218 E. 19th Street in Cheyenne. Friends may contribute to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Meals on Wheels, or a charity of their choice.