Sept. 21, 2025
Dr. Charles Robert Matson, a former respiratory therapy professor at Middle Georgia State University, died at his home in Juliette Sunday after a short illness. He was 70 years old. A memorial service was held at First Baptist Church of Christ, 511 High Place, at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.
Visitation with the family began at 1 p.m.
Matson was born and raised in Macon, graduating in 1973 from Central High School, where he was a member of Sedarmoc fraternity. He attended the University of Georgia, majoring in psychology and graduating in 1977.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy from the Medical College of Georgia (Augusta University) in 1980, then began working at the Medical Center of Central Georgia (Atrium Health Navicent), where he was a staff therapist and education coordinator, among other positions, until 2000.
He started working at Macon State College (now Middle Georgia State University) in 2000 as program director/ chairman of the Department of Respiratory Therapy.
While there, he also served as chair of the university’s Executive Committee and for a time was interim dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences.
He helped create a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Bridge program at Middle Georgia State, providing advanced degree options for alumni and others.
He also helped develop a curriculum for the Bachelor of Science entry-level program.
He served as president of the Georgia Society for Respiratory Care in 2006-2007 and actively supported the group by volunteering his time to train others.
Matson retired from Middle Georgia State in 2023, but he continued to teach part time in the respiratory therapy program until recently.
President Christopher Blake named him Professor Emeritus of Respiratory Therapy in 2025, a significant honor. He was a steadfast supporter of the MGA Foundation, giving annually to support student scholarships.
His greatest love, besides his family, was learning and teaching.
He earned his Master’s of Education degree in adult education in 1998, and before online learning became commonplace, he spent years driving back and forth to Athens, earning his doctorate from the University of Georgia in 2012.
Generous in sharing his time and knowledge, he taught thousands of students over the years, either at Middle Georgia State or in the frequent classes he led across Georgia on the topics of life support, pediatric life support or advanced cardiac life support. He gave dozens of professional development presentations in the respiratory therapy field, especially those related to ethics, a particular passion of his. He was an avid golfer, playing regularly with friends at River Forest Golf Course.
He was a faithful follower of University of Georgia football and a member of the Macon Touchdown Club. He loved tackling do-it-yourself projects around his home near Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site. He was a longtime member and deacon at First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon.
Over the years, no matter where he lived, attended school, worked or spent his spare time, he developed close circles of friends that he was loyal to, in large part because of his unwavering devotion to all of them. He was always ready with an offer to help, no matter the circumstance, or a word of encouragement, especially when his friends needed it most.
“Charles’ career is one that shines, not just for what he accomplished but for who he was and how he accomplished it,” said Teri Miller, chair of Middle Georgia State’s Department of Respiratory Therapy and Health Sciences. “He made learning fun. He cared for others. He held high standards but also worked to help others meet them.
“Everyone loved Charles.
Our respiratory therapy profession and community is better for his time and commitment over almost five decades of professional service.”
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Karen Matson; a daughter, Janna Matson of Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, Sam Matson (Kelsea), of Suwanee, Ga.; and a brother, Gregory Matson (Rhonda) of Blakely, Ga.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Kay Smith (Gary), and his parents, Robert and Helen Matson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Retired MGA Respiratory Faculty and Staff Scholarship, established in his honor through the Middle Georgia State University Foundation, at: https:// giving.mga.edu/. Please note in the comments section that the contribution is for the Charles Matson Scholarship.
