Former Grand Terrace Mayor Byron Matteson was laid to rest on Sunday, January 10 at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton.
Byron Roger Matteson, who was born on January 7, 1937 in Hartford, Wisconsin to Floyd and Martha Matteson, passed away peacefully at his Grand Terrace home on December 14, 2020, surrounded by his loving family and a few close friends. He was 83.
Matteson as a child relocated with his family to Grand Terrace in the 1940s. He attended Grand Terrace Elementary School and Colton High School, where he graduated with the class of 1955. After graduation, he attended San Bernardino Valley College, obtaining his associate’s degree. Years later, in the early 1970s, after having fully immersed himself in the professional world, he continued his education at Cal State San Bernardino.
In 1961, he married Patricia Walker, with whom he had two children, Tammy and Mark. After more than twenty years of marriage, Byron and Patricia divorced in 1982. In 1987 Byron met Barbara Mindham and they enjoyed a lasting and loving relationship right up until the end.
Tammy and Mark had a remarkable childhood and remember their father as a witty and generous man who cared deeply for his family. He maintained his clever sense of humor until his final days. He was pleasant company and enamored many with his charm.
Matteson was a hard worker and dedicated entrepreneur who founded several businesses during his time on Earth. Shortly after he graduated from high school, he worked for the Southern California Gas Company for the better part of a decade. In 1965, he opened Jiffy Boy Restaurant, the first of what would be several businesses he founded. He owned and operated the restaurant until he sold it and became a salesman for Moore Business Forms in Colton. In 1978, he left Moore Business Forms and founded a dual enterprise, Allstate Business Forms and Instant Printing. He owned and operated those ventures until he sold the print shop in 1998. Prior to that, in 1990, he invested in Little Sister’s Truck Wash, which expanded to five locations, all of which remain in business. In the 1980s, he co-founded Inland Community Bank and individually founded Bear Tanning and Bear Elegance hair salons.
In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Matteson was deeply involved in his community. He was elected to the Grand Terrace City Council and served for fourteen years from 1984 to 1998; twelve of which he served as the mayor. During his tenure as mayor, he served as both the president and secretary of the League of California Cities.
Throughout his adult life, Matteson was a member and a leader of several professional organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Traders Club of the Inland Empire, the Colton Jaycees of which he was president and the Business Forms Distributors Association. He was also a member of the Grand Terrace, Colton and San Bernardino chambers of commerce.
He was active in many charitable organizations, including the Lions Club, the 20-30 Club of which he was president, Rolling Start, Grand Terrace 4-H of which he was secretary and Guide Dogs of the Desert.
Matteson’s accomplishments, passion, zest for life and dedication to hard work during the course of his life left a deep impression on his children and grandchildren.
The last seven years of Matteson’s life were acutely difficult. In 2013, he developed a MRSA-based infection that he battled for six months. He recovered from the infection but it had caused long-term damage to his body, resulting in him being bedridden for the remainder of his life. He fought hard to maintain his relevance to the world and those he loved, and his family is forever thankful for the additional time they had with him after his 2013 health crisis. His family expressed grateful appreciation to his caregivers for their attention, dedication, and tenderness during his final years.
Byron is survived by his children Tamara (Tammy) Matteson and Mark Matteson, his sister Donna McFarland, as well as his significant other, Barbara Mindham. He had six grandchildren: Harry Atwood IV, Cierra Rounds, Brittney Johnson, Robert Johnson, Amanda Matteson and Emily Matteson. In addition, he had three great-grandchildren whom he absolutely adored. Byron rejoins his five brothers, William Matteson, Luke Matteson, Harvey Matteson, John Matteson and Maurice Matteson in eternity.