Three times a week, Don Matis Jr. dyes his long beard purple — for prayer and for penance.
He caps the look with a red, blue and yellow hat with bells.
The self-proclaimed Jester for Jesus hands out buttons to passersby around town. “Stoned On Happiness,” his shirt and car declare.
He would know.
For 17 years, Matis was high on anything he could get his hands on. He snorted tequila with a straw. He also dealt drugs. “God let me taste every crazy thing in life,” he said.
Then one day, the mother of Jesus spoke to him and told him to get a rosary. He walked 2.5 miles to church and his life changed.
That was 39 years ago; he’s been sober ever since.
“My life is a prayer, it’s a gift from God,” Matis said. “I was a criminal, but God spared me.”
Every day is a struggle, but Matis doesn’t feel like he has to look over his shoulder. He’s long performed what he calls “bar ministry” — listening to people, giving them the gift of attention.
The jewel of Akron is its people. They’re vibrant and resilient. Flawed, yet thoughtful and nurturing. And all of them come with compelling stories. That’s why we launched “Akron in 330.” This series offers a glimpse into everyday folks’ journeys across our many neighborhoods — 330 words at a time. Know someone we should consider? Tell us here.
“He really taught me to live in the present moment,” said his best friend, Monica Baird.
Matis was homeless before he moved into the living room of Baird’s 550-square-foot Stow apartment. That was 33 years ago — he hasn’t left. They swap the hours one of them sleeps in the bed.
“Just put in there she’s a saint,” Matis quipped. “The whole situation is a miracle.”
The whole situation includes Matis’ canvases; Baird estimated he’s painted 400 pieces using his beard as a brush.
He sells them occasionally, but mostly wants to make people smile — with his art, his buttons, his outfit. After years of personal misery, Matis wants to entertain.
“I love life, can you tell?” Matis asked. “I’m blessed I can even talk with all the dope I did. … I tell people when I meet them, I can relate to anything they want to talk about, with experience.”
