Sam Shinji Matsumoto

Our dad, Sam Shinji Matsumoto passed away peacefully in our home on Sunday, March 6, 2022, with his family by his side. Dad had such a great smile, and it was one he shared even at the very end.

Sam was born January 26, 1933. He served with the United States Marine Corps in Korea and was honorably discharged as rank of Sargent in 1955. He earned the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Sam married Mayme Megumi Matsumoto on June 14, 1959. They settled in Walnut Creek, California where they started their family. First came their son, Geoffrey, and then came their beautiful, charming, wonderful, and modest daughter, Mauri.

He worked as a salesman for Gilson Supply, which later became All-Phase and after years behind a desk, he traded a phone in his hand for a pair of pruning shears and started his

own landscaping business.

Our dad enjoyed gardening, playing poker, bowling, and loved all kinds of sports. Often,

he had more than one TV on and a radio to make sure he didn’t miss any of the action.

Sam was a great resource for sports facts, stats and trivia and was a hardcore 49ers fan.

He also made a mean bowl of cream of wheat getting the butter, brown sugar, and milk

ratio just right.

Sam is now with his wife, who preceded him in death in 1995. He is survived by his son, Geoffrey, his girlfriend, Jeri Lawson; his daughter, Mauri and her husband, David Bratset; his grandchildren: Alex Weston, Justin Weston, Sam Weston, his wife, Jasmine and Miles Weston, his wife, Janelle, and their daughter, his first great-grandchild, Amelia.

Dad didn’t want to fuss with a service, so instead, we will be celebrating his life bowling, laughing, and enjoying each other just the way he would have wanted.

He also wasn’t much of a flower guy so he would rather you save that money and spend

time watching a game, making a bowl of cream of wheat that says, I love you or just be

with family and loved ones.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sam Shinji Matsumoto, please visit our floral store.