Master and Commander
Posts: 1405
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Saturday Obits
https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/
The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.
I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.
MASTERSON .. .. .. Captain Leo S. (Matt) Masterson, USN (Ret) age 95, passed away on February 23, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death in 2013 by his wife of more than 60 years, Bernadine.
At the age of 17, Matt enlisted in the United States Navy as an apprentice seaman. As a “Mustang” he retired with the rank of Captain. He was a submariner for over 30 years; serving on nine submarines, a submarine tender, four submarine staffs and a battleship. Matt commanded the USS Blackfin (SS-322). During his time in the Navy, he trained seamen on over 50 different submarines.
Beyond his naval career, Matt dedicated more than 50 years to the Boy Scouts (he founded Troop 500 in San Diego) and was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for his leadership and service.
Prior to his retirement from the Navy, Matt graduated from SDSU with a degree in finance. After retiring, he worked as a consultant in the nuclear energy business.
Matt enjoyed hiking, backpacking (Grand Canyon, John Muir Trail, San Gorgonio, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. Fuji were favorites), skiing, and traveling the world with Bernadine. Together they visited over 100 countries.
As he often said, “Life was great!” in reference to his Navy career.
PLUMMER .. .. .. Donald Stephen Plummer, 79, of Olathe, Kansas passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Olathe Hospice House. At the age of 10 Steve received the gift of eternal life and is now enjoying his heavenly life.
Steve was born on July 15, 1946 in Fayetteville, North Carolina to the late Lacy and Eugene Plummer. He grew up in Fayetteville and graduated from Fayetteville High School. He attended Methodist College then joined the Navy from 1967 to 1973. He served on the nuclear submarine Woodrow Wilson stationed at Pearl Harbor. After 6 years he was discharged from the Navy then returned to Fayetteville and worked at Plummer Grocery Store, and afterwards Carolina Telephone.
He then joined Sprint in 1985 during its initial stages and traveled with the job for three years and settled in Olathe, Kansas in 1988 and retired from Sprint in 2009 after 29 years. He drove a school bus for several years and then homestyle living.
When the children were young Steve would come home from the office and they would compete for the first kiss.The children were God’s answer to Psalm 127:3 starting their arrival after 17 1/2 years of marriage. He celebrated each one as worth the wait. He loved our annual family trips to North Carolina and throughout the years went through two vans.
Steve enjoyed the years he went canoeing and white-water rafting with friends. He also liked going to Ely, Minnesota with his friend Ron and sometimes his twin brother Dave. Steve enjoyed the China Buffet restaurant with “buffet” being the key word. He graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe. He loved country music and going to White Lake and the “island” with his brothers.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ruby Celestine Hurley, and three brothers Joseph Ted Plummer, Patrick Eugene Plummer and Michael Eugene Plummer. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Lynne, one son Paul Plummer and daughters Stephanie Plummer and Allison (Paige) Smothers and two grandchildren, Grace and Wally.
COOK .. .. .. Tharan Cook Obituary: Terry was born in Odell, Nebraska on May 21, 1943, to John and Edna Cook. He passed away February 12, 2026, in Homedale, Idaho. Terry grew up on a Kansas farm and attended Sunnyside, a one-room schoolhouse for grades one through eight. During his Barneston High School days, Terry participated in football, basketball, and track, graduating in 1961. He joined the Navy after high school. While stationed in California, he met and married Pauline Schulze. They had two children.
During his 7-year military career, Terry served on the USS Blackfin, a diesel submarine, and two nuclear submarines, the USS Robert E. Lee and the USS Benjamin Franklin. Following his military discharge, the family lived in Barneston and Stella, NE. While living in Stella, he worked at the NE Cooper Nuclear Power Plant. Moving to Idaho in the late 1970's, Terry worked in the US Nuclear Energy industry until his retirement.
In his spare time, Terry enjoyed playing pool, including league competition. His favorite pastime was Trap Shooting where he won various trophies and prizes.
Terry leaves behind his wife Pauline of 62 years, daughter Christi Hill (Greg), son Terry L. Jr. (Wendy), grandchildren Brianne Hill and Dakota Hill, two great grandchildren, brother Bob Cook (Jennifer), sister Jean Novotny (Richard), sister-in-law Cathy Cook and many nieces and nephews. Terry was preceded in death by his parents John and Edna Cook and brother Jim Cook.
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Saturday Obits
