He was born Dec. 31, 1935, to John Buford and Kathryn Ann (Walling) Matthews in Mangum. He attended school at Gould and graduated in 1954. He graduated from OSU in 1958 and entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel in 1978 after 22 years of faithful service to his country. During his army career, he was a distinguished soldier having served two tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star with first oak leaf cluster, Viet Nam Service medal, Army Commendation Medal With third oak leaf cluster, Parachute Badge, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, General Staff Identification Badge, Legion Of Merit with first Oak Leaf Cluster, four Campaign Ribbons, Expert Marksman, Meritorious Unit Citation with Palm, Five Overseas Service Bars, Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation With Palm, and the Purple Heart. He spent his last three years as Post Commander at Graphenver West Germany. After retiring from the Army, he returned to OSU and received his master’s degree in geology and taught at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and Western Oklahoma State College in Altus until his retirement. After retiring, he farmed and raised cattle and loved reading.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Volla Miller.
He is survived by his brother, Doc Matthews and wife Marzelle of Mangum; nieces, Jill Haddon and husband John and Lori Redden and husband Mike; four special “grandkids,” Brady Matthews, Kade Redden, Kody Redden and Ryan Haddon.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Cemetery with full military honors. The services and inurnment will be under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum with Chaplin Burns, United States Army will officiate.
Online tributes may be made at www.GreerFuneral.com
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