Douglas Alexander Matheson
Douglas Alexander Matheson was born March 4, 1938 in Hollywood, CA to Alexander Gunn and Grace Matheson. Doug died suddenly June 16, 2012.
Doug joined the army shortly after graduating from Citrus High School. His tour of duty in Germany gave him wanderlust. He traveled throughout Europe during his leaves. Sometime after he arrived home he married and had three beautiful children. He and his family lived in various cities in California, Utah and Washington.
Doug moved to Santa Barbara thirty-two years ago to start a new life for himself. While here he discovered the Theosophical Society and meditation with Open Door Sangha. He developed an intense love of learning with help from Santa Barbara Community College. There he learned ways to overcome the difficulties of dyslexia. He began pursuing the education he always wanted with books on tape from the Braille Institute.
Doug was a simple, low key guy who put people at ease and filled you with the gift of laughter. His role models were Gandhi, Woody Allen and Manly Hall and his life reflected a duality of the sacred and the absurd.
Doug continued to travel seeing Russia, Finland, Thailand, Burma and, most recently, the British Isles. But, his first love was carpentry. He loved wood. He made meditation and garden benches, hutches, hope chests, small inlaid boxes. Most of the wood he used he found from discarded furniture on the street. He was always eager to help others with their projects.
Doug is survived by his son Rich Matheson and Rich’s wife Deborah of Oakland, CA; daughter Audrey Rahmn and her husband Michael of Seattle, WA; and son Marshall Matheson and his wife Sarah of Santa Barbara, CA. Doug has six grandchildren: Keaton, Jameson and Ali of Seattle and Kate, Holden and Merrick of Santa Barbara. Doug leaves behind his sister, Joan Witt and her husband Dick, nephew Mark Witt and niece Jean Borden and six great nephews and nieces all of Iowa. Doug also leaves behind his partner of five years, Stephenie Chandler.
There will be a Celebration of Life for this kind, loving man July 14th. All friends of Doug wishing to attend are welcome to call 963-6945 for details.