Clarke Fredrick Mattson

Clarke Fredrick Mattson, 91, of Ridgefield, WA, passed away on Jan. 30, 2011. He was born in Tacoma, WA, on December 17, 1919.

Clarke served in WWII as a flight instructor and as a transport pilot.

After the War, Clarke joined his father's business, Western Cold Storage (fresh potato packing and shipping), in Moses Lake, (and later Othello) WA. He became CEO of the business until his retirement in 1976.

He married Ella Mae Adams and had three sons: Larry, Jim, and Ron. They divorced in 1948. Clarke married Clarice Walsh on April 4, 1964.

For many years Clarke was an avid Ham radio operator (call sign "K7HOE"). He always enjoyed flying and owned several private planes, worked part time as a flight instructor and as a contract pilot. When he retired from flying, he applied that enthusiasm to radio-controlled model airplanes and helicopters. He was an active member of the CCRCS (Clark County Radio Control Society).

Clarke was a member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and died 22 years sober. His home group was the Over 55 group of Vancouver.

Clarke is survived by his wife Clarice, two sons, Larry and Ron (son Jim predeceased Clarke in 1995); five grandsons: Lee and Loren (Larry's sons), Jeff (Jim's son), and Lauris and Brent (Ron's sons); and nine great-grandchildren: Corey, Corrine, and Brittany Jo (Lee's); Nicholas (Loren's); Kokeb (Jeff's daughter); Parker, Cole, and Carly (Lauris's); and Lucas (Brent's).

Clarke's Memorial service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 N.E. 112th Ave., Vancouver, WA, on Monday, February 7, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Services Northwest, P.O.B. 1845, Vancouver, WA 98668.