James W. Matko

James (Jim) W. Matko, 96, of Forest Lake, Minnesota passed peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026, with family by his side.

He was born on October 15, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio and was the son of the late Joesph Motko and Agnes (Evansick) Motko. He married Lynda Anne (Rouche) Matko on July 22, 1952, in Angola, Indiana. After their marriage, they lived in Bay City, Michigan where their three sons were born. The family later moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota in 1968 to take advantage of Jim’s job opportunity with Sperry Corporation.

Jim was a Navy veteran having served in the Korean war from 1950‐1952. He was an electrician stationed mainly on attack class cargo ships with his favorite being the USS Marguette (AKA-95). He often spoke of the many ports and places he visited during his time in the Navy.

Jim spent the majority of his career at companies derived from the Sperry Corporation. He worked for Sperry in Roseville, Minnesota; Unisys in Eagan, Minnesota; and ended his career at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Jim retired with Lynda in Bowie, Maryland and they enjoyed exploring the history in the Washington DC area, especially Annapolis, Maryland.

After retirement Jim had two hobbies he enjoyed immensely – playing softball and flying RC airplanes.

While living in Bowie, Jim played on a softball team that participated in many Senior Olympic tournaments that allowed Jim and Lynda to travel to many different cities. Memorable trips included Disney World in Orlando and to San Antonio. Jim also enjoyed flying RC airplanes, while he was good at flying his airplanes, he got very good at fixing them!

Survivors include his sons, Reid Matko of Minneapolis, MN; Owen (Alane) Matko of Shoreview, MN; and Kirk (Deborah) Matko of Forest Lake, MN. Jim is also survived by four grandsons, Christopher and Thomas Matko of Shoreview, MN; Mason Matko of Wichita Falls, TX; and Tyler Matko of Forest Lake, MN.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Lynda Anne (Rouche) Matko; his parents, Joesph and Agnes (Evansick) Motko; his brothers, Tom, Ted, Joe and sister, Mary.

After the death of his wife, Lynda, Jim moved back to Forest Lake, Minnesota so he could be closer to his sons and their families.

Dementia’s grip on Jim is now released, and he’s been reunited with the love of his life, Lynda.

A private service will be held at a later date when Jim will be interred next to his late wife Lynda at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.