James Patrick Matson

Service Details

No service was held according to his wishes.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

James Patrick Matson, 67 years old, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, passed away on May 26, 2026 at Froedert South-Pleasant Prairie Hospital while holding his wife’s hand.

He was born on April 6, 1959, in Racine, Wisconsin to Jeanette Matson-Hansen (Hartzheim) and George Matson.  He was the fourth child, with his siblings Sandra, Carol, and George. He attended Park High School then got his GED so he could join the Navy. In the Navy, James worked on electronics and with heavy weapons, serving for four years on the USS Oldendorf. James had secondary education at MSOE and later went to Gateway to further his career in IT. In 1992, James married Lorraine Small and they shared 34 wonderful years together and had three children together; Erik, Kyle, and Anna.

Outside of work, James enjoyed outings with his family in his early years, like camping and on vacations up north, going out on the boat so the kids could go tubing, and taking his family out for dinner on their birthdays as a tradition. He had a fondness for Old English Sheepdogs and had 5 as family pets, including rescues. In his old age he enjoyed canning produce and soups made from vegetables from his wife’s garden, as well as grilling and cooking to try new recipes.

He was known for his devotion to the community through service in the church as an usher and lector. He provided free assistance to St. Edward’s Catholic School in their computer labs and IT systems. He was involved with the Masons and Shriners, often helping at their charity events. He joked that he must really like the work the Shriners did, because he wasn’t very fond of the hats they wear.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine Matson (Small); his children Erik, Kyle, & Anna; his granddaughter Donna; and his siblings Sandra Matson, Carol Schubring, and George Matson. He was preceded in death by his parents George Matson and Jeanette Matson-Hansen (Hartzheim) and stepdad Quinten Hansen.

No service was held according to his wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.