He started working as a newspaper photographer while attending Capitol Hill High School, where he later graduated.
[1] Matheson worked as a journalist in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Indianapolis.
He also served in the United States Marine Corps and worked for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
[1] Matheson left journalism in 1970 to work for David Hall's gubernatorial campaign.
[1] Matheson was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1972 and would serve until 1978 when he did not seek re-election.