1921 - 2003

     On July 21, 2003 .Walter Matthews Jeffries went west.
     Walter Matthews Jeffries was born in 1921, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the first of four sons.
     Matt spent his childhood in Virginia were his parents were originally from.
     Matt was bitten by the aviation bug at a early age. He built flying models and read the popular aviation stories of the day.
     In 1939, while Matt and his younger bother, Richard were still in high school, they joined the Virginia National Guard. They shared a pup tent during summer maneuvers on the old, civil war battlefield at Manassas, Virginia, and the following summer, in upstate New York, where president Franklin Roosevelt reviewed the assembled troops. In 1940, Matt enlisted in the Army Air Corps and Richard went with the Army Engineers. For the first time in 17 years, they were separated. America was soon at war and Matt, trained on B-17 bombers, started his overseas duty in England. Then to North Africa, and finally to southern Italy where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal. Matt returned home from the war, met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann, who has been a blessing to him for 55 years.

Matt obtained a private pilot's license and worked for an aircraft manufacturer in Maryland. He also became a freelance artist for several aviation magazines.
     Later, Matt and Mary Ann were both employed by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Matt recorded aviation history in the graphics department.
     Philip (his brother), also back from the war in Europe, was working as a sketch artist for Warner Brothers in Hollywood. Philip encouraged Matt to bring his talents to Hollywood.
     In Hollywood, Matt's first assignment was set designer on the film "Bombers B-52".
     Then began Matt's long career in television starting as set designer on "The Untouchables" followed by "Ben Casey''and leading up to his association with Gene Rodenberry to design a spaceship for a television series to be called "Star Trek." Thus, the "Starship Enterprise" emerged from Matt's creative mind and drawing board. He was appointed art director for the entire, original series. Other art director credits included "Love American Style" and "Little House on the Prairie" Before he retired, he went to Dallas, Texas when he was production designer on two episodes of "Dallas."
     Matt was a member of the "American Society of Aviation Artists", "American Aviation Historical Society" and "Experimental Aircraft Association." He served on the executive boards of "The Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors, local 876" and the "Set Designers & Model Makers, local 8471."
     A beautiful 1935 WACO cabin plane was his pride and joy! He has graciously donated this vintage aircraft to the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond.
     Matt's interest in aviation history brought him to the board of the American Aviation Historical Society and while serving as a Director on the board, he provided wise counsel. He also was the "spark plug" and catalyst that preserved Santa Paula Airport for future generations. He was the '"spark plug" and catalyst for many other worthy projects as well. The Society owes him a lot and we will miss him, but will not forget him.

Jim Turner, Editor