David Matthews Obituary

Born April 3, 1948 in Medford, Ore., to parents Gail and Joyce Matthews, David died Dec. 5, 2024 in his Manzanita community. He graduated from Parkrose High School and Portland State University and earned a degree in math. As a teenager he hunted, fished and began a life-long love affair with surfing.
David married his first wife while in college. He worked in restaurants to support himself, gaining skills he used later in managing Oregon and California restaurants near favorite surf breaks. As a young adult he delivered yachts along the Pacific Coast, built a 45' sailboat, raised chickens and home-delivered his daughters, then became their girl scout leader. He was also president of his Portland neighborhood association, working with the Portland Trailblazers and the NBA to create a local pocket park. Before moving to the Oregon Coast David worked in training and human resources, eventually becoming production manager for an electronic components manufacturer. Weekends were often spent surfing, of course.
David met wife Dellanne McGregor while surfing at Short Sands Beach, marrying her in 1995. They planned houses that he built and she sold until he joined her in selling real estate. Together they attended conferences all over the United States, in addition to their Mexican and Hawaiian trips for surf. They competed in surf contests and standup paddle races in Oregon, Washington and California. David was a surfer, a sailor, a kiter, a paddler, a gardener, an intuitive problem-solver, an accomplished hunter-gatherer and a skilled chef with a repertoire of locavore specialties. David loved his adopted community - its natural bounty, physical beauty and local residents. Manzanita's 2024 Citizen of the Year found people homes they loved, supported school programs and coordinated beach cleanups. He was a kind helper and a difference-maker who loved animals, plants, children, craftsmanship, new ideas, reading about ocean adventures and cooking for friends.
Survivors include wife, Dellanne; daughters, Sarene Valeri (Jim) and Kacy Matthews-Hall (Nick); brother, Dan Matthews (Sharen); sister, Barbara Turpen (Monte); as well as his treasured grandchildren, Vienna, Chelsea and Austin Valeri; former wife, Darlene Tri; beloved cat, Escrow; and an extensive orchid collection.
A memorial service and a surfer paddle out will follow later in 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Surfrider Foundation, the ESF Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, or Friends of the North Tillamook County Library.