Former Executive Director of the Alaska School Activities Association Gary Matthews passed away earlier this month peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Matthews was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, the son of William Matthews and JoAnne Van Gieson. He graduated from Titusville High School in 1962 and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1966.

He taught choir and general music at Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for two years. Fulfilling his lifelong dream of living in Alaska, he traveled with his young family and wife, Linda, across the country in a Volkswagen bus to Haines , Alaska. Matthews lived in Haines for 25 years teaching music and eventually becoming the Haines High School principal and activities director.

He completed a Masters Program and graduated with a degree in Administration from University of Alaska Southeast. His support for extracurricular activities and their importance for all students brought him to Anchorage in 1993 to accept the role of Executive Director of Alaska School Activities Association. His vision went beyond athletics and activities they included the Alaska High School Hall of Fame, the tobacco, alcohol and drug free policy that led to “Play For Keeps, Win For Life”and the Alaska Endowment for Youth Activities. Gary was also an active advocate for Alaska Special Olympics and served as president and board member for a number of years.

Matthews was the mastermind behind “March Madness Alaska” the continuing premiere basketball event held each March. He was inducted into the state's High School Hall of Fame in 2016, and he served on the NFHS Board of Directors from 1997 to 2000. In 2014, Matthews was presented with a NFHS Citation at the Summer Meeting, and in 2021 he was presented with The Jim Balamaci Legacy Award by Special Olympics Alaska.

Matthews dedicated his life to the youth of Alaska. He retired in 2014 after 21 years as ASAA's executive director. His love of hunting, fishing, doing projects with his grandsons and traveling in the motor home as well as volunteering at his church kept him busy in his retirement years. His sense of humor, positive outlook and constant smile will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, son, David, and daughter-in-law Brenda, son-in-law, Thomas Gandee and daughter Melissa, granddaughter Angelique Amsbary, grandson’s Nathan Gandee and Benjamin Iverslie, sister Patricia Kingsley and brother-in-law Robert.