Honoring the Life and Legacy of James Matz

I tried to convince him to put it towards the arts, but he would have none of that. He was concerned about things happening the right way, and he trusted you to carry on your mission
-Tom

James Matz was a simple man, leading a simple life; known for his generosity, warmth, and unwavering commitment to helping others. His gift to United Way Bay Area (UWBA) is a testament to the power of giving and an inspiring reminder of the impact even one person can have on our community.

Just A Normal Guy

James spent a fair amount of time with friends he met through a tennis group in Oakland. They would characterize him as humble and shy, with a profound sense of humor once you got him going. This is where he met a fellow philosopher and the person who would become one of his most trusted friends, Tom.

To the group, James had a modest lifestyle, with no indications of wealth or resources, until he finally decided to live in San Francisco where he worked by purchasing his home – in cash. What he didn’t flaunt was he was a Harvard graduate, a deep thinker often engaging in philosophical discussions about the nature of life and society, a software engineer who had spent some time consulting and then working with the Federal Reserve, and half of the duo who created Trackabeast – a centralized data tracking hub for the animal rescue world.

We all saw each other as the same. He absolutely had a big heart. He was a gentle, dear man. He definitely respected people and did what he could.

What we know, is his early years were marked by tragedy; the kind of experience that profoundly shapes a person’s worldview. “There was a period where he struggled early on, before I knew him,” Tom said. “I learned about this later. I think that probably had something to do with why he chose to give to you.”

Life of Matz

One of the defining aspects of James’s life was his fight to maintain his autonomy, even as he faced the health challenges of his final years.

He lived alone. It’s hard to keep your independence when you get sick. They were always trying to put him into assisted living, and he wanted to stay in his house. He was fierce in protecting his independence and living the way he wanted to live.

His insistence on living life on his terms was likely connected to his belief that people need resources and advocates to live the way they want to live. “And it takes that,” Tom said. “If you don’t have an advocate, if you’re trying to do some of this on your own… [some] people are just checking boxes… That’s not always right for you. It may be for some people, but it wasn’t right for him.”

It is perhaps no surprise that when James was deciding what should be done with his resources, he looked toward UWBA. At the heart of our mission to dismantle the root causes of poverty, is the understanding that doing so requires advocates and resources that allow people within our community to live the lives they choose. James placed his resources where the impact could be amplified, reaching more people, supporting various programs, and the human costs needed to run them.

You guys have a good brand. I tried to convince him to put it towards the arts but he would have none of that. He was concerned about things happening the right way, and he trusted you to carry on your mission. [He] believed in it.

The Gift

Leaving his estate to UWBA ensured that his spirit of generosity would continue to benefit the community. His support will bolster a range of programs that provide critical and basic needs services, from financial education and job training to housing assistance.

For me, [he was] the closest friend I’ve had to reach this age. I think about him quite a bit.

James Matz’s life and legacy* are a beacon of hope and inspiration. His dedication to helping others and his gift to UWBA will continue to make a difference for years to come. In recognizing James, we should all be inspired to give back to our communities and support those in need, as he did. His story reminds us that each of us has the power to make a positive impact, one act of kindness at a time.

*Find out how you can leave a legacy of lasting impact with United Way Bay Area.