Everett L. “Matt” Masterman, Jr. (1932-2011)

LAKE CITY, FL – USAF CMSGT (retired) Everett L. “Matt” Masterman, Jr. of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away Oct. 19, 2011, at the Veterans Hospital Facility in Lake City, Florida.

Matt was born Oct. 9, 1932, in Wilton, Maine. He attended Wilton schools and graduated in 1951 from Wilton Academy. He received a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland in 1970 and an M.A. in psychology from the University of West Florida in 1987.

Matt was a Boy Scout and earned the grade of Eagle Scout. During his freshman year of high school, he lettered in four sports and was selected All-State his senior year in baseball, basketball, football, and track. He was so respected as a quarterback that players from rival teams sent him get-well cards and good wishes whenever he was injured. Matt continued playing sports while serving in the military. His love for sports also involved coaching Little League.

He was an avid sports fan. He loved the Boston Red Sox and lived to see them win two World Series. He became an enthusiastic FSU fan when he and his wife Marjorie moved to Tallahassee. They attended all the games and were season ticket holders for three sports. A gifted storyteller, Matt loved to entertain family and friends with lively accounts of his athletic exploits and travels around the world. He truly enjoyed human interaction and his infectious laugh and easy way with people will be sorely missed. He will be remembered by his loved ones and friends for his charismatic warmth, unique sense of humor.

Matt retired as a senior chief master sergeant from the United States Air Force in 1974 after 21 years of service. During his service, Matt was stationed at Sidi Slimane AFB, Morocco; Oxnard AFB, California; Griffis AFB, New York; Westover AFB, Massachusetts; Scott AFB, Illinois; Kindley AFB, Bermuda; Kadena AFB, Okinawa and Tan Son Nhut AF, Vietnam. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Matt was the highest ranking weather NCO in Southeast Asia.

Following his career in the military, Matt worked for the US Postal Service, for an investment firm in Singapore, Internal Revenue Service in Austin, Texas, FSU Contracts & Grants, the Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services, and he retired from the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Matt and Marjorie were the visionaries behind the PACE Leon Center in Tallahassee. When Matt retired from the Department of Juvenile Justice, the accolade he most fondly remembered was the title of “PACE Godfather.”

Matt is survived by his wife of 26 years, Marjorie Kimbrel Masterman; son Mark (Deanna) of Discovery Bay, CA; daughter Michelle Morris of Tallahassee, FL; step-daughter Patricia (Bill) Franklin of Pensacola, FL; step-son Steve (Teresa) Bullock of McAlpin, FL; step-daughter Nanci (Eric) Bullock-Thrailkill of Nashville, TN; five grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, one great-grandson, three step-great grandchildren; sister Janis (Bill) Bennett of Freeport, ME; brother Leslie (Kathleen) Masterman of Milton, NH; and several nieces and nephews.

Matt is predeceased by his parents Everett and Eva Masterman Sr. and son-in-law Denis P. Morris.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, at Culley’s Funeral Home, Riggins Road. Burial service will be held at Barrancas Military Cemetery, Pensacola FL. 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Everett L. Masterman to PACE Center for Girls, 1344 Cross Creek Circle, Tallahassee, FL, 32301 or Alzheimer’s Project of Tallahassee, 301 East Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, FL32303 or any veteran’s organization of your choice.