James T. “Jim” Mattson

He was born in Laurium, MI, on June 23, 1934, the son of the late Theodore E. and Margaret P. (Bohmier) Mattson. Jim attended school at St Mary’s in Royal Oak and graduated from Baraga High School in 1952. When he was a senior at Baraga he was the leading scorer in Basketball in the Copper Country Conference. After graduation from high school, Jim was invited to Detroit for tryouts with the Tigers. He continued his education at the former Suomi College in Hancock and received his Master’s in Education from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Jim had worked at National Mine School, teaching and coaching from 1958-1959 and L’Anse High School from 1959-1989 as a teacher and coach, assistant principal, athletic director and ended his career with the school as principal. After “retirement” he began working as a realtor and appraiser for the Re/Max Douglass Agency in Houghton and retired in 2009. He married the former, Sharon A. Kasper, in Bergland, MI, on August 28, 1981. She preceded him in death, on November 28, 2010. He was a former Mayor and Trustee for the Village of L’Anse, former president and trustee of the L’Anse School Board, member of the Kiwanis Club and Lions Club in L’Anse, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the Local Officials Association and the National Association of School Principals. Jim was also a referee for 55 years in football, basketball and track & field throughout the U.P. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf and was the L’Anse golf course club champ 1 year.

Jim is survived by his loving family, children: James (Rhonda) Mattson, Jr of Sarona, WI, Mary Jean “Sissy” Fish of Marquette, JoEllen “Jody” (Harold) Thoresen of L’Anse, Michael E. (Molly) Mattson of Appleton, WI and Mark A. Mattson of Traverse City, 2 step-sons, 11 grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren, 1 great- great-grandchild, his former wife and mother of his children: Carol Mattson of L’Anse, and his sister-in-law: Frances Mattson of Reno, Nevada.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife: Sharon, daughter: Mary Ellen, uncle: Art Mattson, aunts and his brother: Kenneth Mattson.

Graveside services for Jim will be held in the spring in the Baraga Cemetery, Baraga, MI.

The Mattson family extends a special thank you to, and deep appreciation for, all of the wonderful and caring staff at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility (MCMCF) who took such excellent care of their Father.

The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Jim’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfuneral servicechapel.com.