Longtime Malibu resident Jack Singleton, who has lived here since the early ’60s, passed away on Oct. 8 at the age of 79 after a long illness.
He was born in Los Angeles on Aug. 14, 1935, and spent his childhood years in California and Oregon. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1959 with a degree in electrical engineering.
In early 1969, Singleton founded his own company, Matrix Systems Corp., in order to answer the need for reliable and modular switching products to serve the communication, automatic test equipment and television industries. He had sales reps or offices in 45 states and in 15 other countries around the world.
“Jack just loved living in Malibu,” a loved one said. At his beachfront apartment on Malibu Road, he hosted many parties, including an Easter Champagne Hunt, Halloween, Hawaiian Kalua pig and others.
“Jack also enjoyed writing letters to the editor for Malibu Times newspaper,” a family member shared. “His letters were enjoyed by many. They were satirical, funny and controversial. Many readers could not wait for the next edition.”
In 1973, Jack married his soulmate, Niki, and they remained married for 41 years.
“It was a great adventure,” Niki shared, who explained they worked together and traveled all over the world. “He lived a very generous, productive and fulfilling life.”
Jack is survived by his wife, Niki; sister, Diane; and friends.