James Toshiyuki Matsumoto, better known to Vashon islanders as “Jimmy Mats”, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 19, 2012 at the age of 87, after a short stay in the hospital.
Jimmy was born on November 15, 1924 on Vashon Island where he lived all but the last 3 years of his life. During his high school years on Vashon, Jimmy enjoyed playing sports including point guard for the 1940 and 1941 Tri League Basketball Champions. During the war at the age of 17, Jimmy was sent to the “Minidoka” Japanese American internment camp in Hunt, Idaho. After returning back to Vashon, Jimmy loved farming where he began his career as a strawberry farmer and started his own construction company called Vashon Island Construction. He married Ann Yamashita of Bainbridge Island, on October 28, 1950, and remained married for the last 61 years. Island life was the perfect place to enjoy his love of golfing, fishing, farming, Matsutake mushroom hunting, and playing his hand with cards. Jimmy competed in golf tournaments into his 70’s, operated his heavy machinery, went elk/moose/deer hunting, and loved spending time with his many friends. Over the years, his favorite hangouts were the Vashon Golf and Country Club, The Vashon Sportsmen’s Club, The Alibi, The Bowling Alley and The Eagles. In most recent years, he was honored by the Vashon Pirates Football team and Vashon Pirates Basketball team, where his jersey was retired and hangs proudly in the Pirates gymnasium. Lastly, he enjoyed working on the Maury Island “Happy Garden” farm with David Kirkland and David Church, helped with raising pigs and turkeys, and spending time with his grandchildren. He often thought of his brother Frank, long time Vashon islander who preceded him in death and introduced his own grandchildren to the annual Frank Matsumoto Fishing Derby held at the Sportsmen’s Club. It was obvious that Jimmy vowed to care for his sister-in-law, Hattie Matsumoto, until his health issues prevailed and he relocated off the island.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, his son Alan (Cindy) of Yakima, his daughter Eileen of University Place, his son Gary (Sabina) of Seattle, his daughter Diane (Ed) of Seattle, his 7 grandchildren and his sister-in-law Hattie Matsumoto of Vashon.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 11am at the Vashon Sportsmen’s Club, 19720 Singer Road SW on Vashon with immediate reception to follow. We invite you to come to the celebration of Jimmy’s life and to share memories at the reception or send stories for the family to felixfamily4@comcast.net. A private family burial is planned at the Vashon Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the Vashon Sportsmen’s Club in his honor. Thank you to Lisa Devereau at Island Funeral Service for assisting with the arrangements.
Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com
Paid Obituary.
