James A. Mattson, 90 of Spearfish, passed away on December 5, 2013. Jim was born in Lead, along with his twin sister, Jane, on February 11, l923 on their mother's twenty-second birthday. His parents were John Alfred Mattson and Hilda (Hermanson) Mattson. He attended school in Lead and graduated from Lead High School in l94l. He was baptized and confirmed in the Bethel Lutheran Church.

Jim began working for the Homestake Mining Company, in the Mechanical Department, in May, l94l. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy Seabees and served from November, l943 until April, l946. Military service with the Construction Battalion took him to the Philippine Islands, PTBase, and Tsingtao, China, Marine Base. He was discharged in Minneapolis and returned to Lead. He was employed by the Homestake for 45 years, retiring in February of l985. He was a journeyman pattern maker, a draftsman, and the General Shops Foreman in the Mechanical Department.

On September l6, l95l, he was married to Dolores Schopen. The couple made their home in Lead until l992, when they moved to Spearfish.

Music was always a big part of his life. He was a gifted accordion player and played with various combos throughout the Black Hills from l947 until 2003. He traveled to Fort Meade playing for the Veterans' weekly dances until the Veterans stopped dancing. He was also an accordion instructor, played the saxophone in the Homestake Band from l948-l972. He was a member of Naja Oriental Band from l948-2004, and played with the Spearfish Senior Center Band beginning in l994 through November 19, 2013.

Jim served as the first president of the Naja's Ajan Shrine Club and was the ticket chairman for Naja's Shrine Football games for many years. He was a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation Board, He was a 60 year member of Masonic Blue Lodge #9, and of Naja Shrine (life member), the VFW Post 5860, and the Homestake Veterans Association.

Jim enjoyed the beautiful Black Hills in many ways: he liked to fly fish, hunt, hike, explore back roads, golf, metal detect and snow ski. He also bowled played bridge, pinochle, and family card games.

He was committed to his family. He is survived by his wife, Dee, of 62 years; daughter, Pam, her husband David Thurber, and grandchildren James Thurber, Jacksonville, Florida and Kathryn Thurber of Salem, Oregon; his son, Richard, wife Cindy and grandson Tanner, of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces and nephew, James Korte, Cathy Ehinger, Valerie Martin and cousins, Earl Ollila, Shirley Massie, and Bill Cooper. His twin sister, Jane Korte, preceded him in death in 2010.

His Memorial Service is 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel, Spearfish. Private Inurnment will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

A Memorial has been established to benefit Naja Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund 4091Sturgis Road, Rapid City, SD 57702.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.