Individual Details
Earl Tatum Mathews
(10 Dec 1930 - 20 Nov 2009)
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Richard Tatum Mathews Sr., 78, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on November 20, 2009 after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
He was born near Bruni, Texas, on December 10, 1930 to Hiram Zaner Mathews Sr. and Molly Horace Flanagan Mathews. His family moved from Miranda City, Texas, to Alice, Texas, in 1943, where he attended school and later graduated. There he met and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Eggemeyer, on September 19, 1950.
He was the founder and owner of Mathews Heating and Air Conditioning Co. from 1957 to 1998 when the business was sold to Service Experts and he retired. During his life he enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, photography and computers. He was also a skilled carpenter and enjoyed building furniture. In 1950, Richard converted to the Catholic faith and spent countless hours studying his religion, and sharing his faith with family and friends.
During his life, he also was able to travel to many religious sites throughout the world. Richard was a Charter Member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, and was on its building committee. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts, and served on the troop committee for several years.
Richard was a member of the St. Pius X Men's Club, Bridge Club, and served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister in the church before his illness. He was also a member of the International Order of the Alhambra, Baza Caravan #78, Serra Club of Corpus Christi, and the Fourth Degree Knight's of Columbus Council #1202.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hiram Zaner Mathews Sr. in 1943; his brother, Hiram Zaner Mathews Jr. in 1952; his mother, Molly Horace Flanagan Mathews in 1990; his sister, Gloria Faye Kellner in 1991; four sons-in-law, Mark Shelander, Bruce Wojtasczyk, Steve Bodie and Clark Couteau and one infant great-grandson, Byron Zayne Wilson.
He will be greatly missed by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Dorothy Eggemeyer Mathews, his 10 children, Linda Bodie, Helen Shelander, Richard T. (Judy) Mathews Jr., Mary (Tim) Wilson, Judy Boutte, David (Dee Dee) Mathews, Dorothy (Robert) Maxwell, Michael (Yvette) Mathews, Carolyn (Warren) Taylor, Laurie (Robert) Capeheart; his 35 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.
Viewing was held from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Seaside Funeral Home. Viewing continued from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009 at Seaside Funeral Home. A Rosary was recited at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with interment following at Seaside Memorial Park.
Published by the Alice Echo, Nov 24, 2009 at 12:01 AM
He was born near Bruni, Texas, on December 10, 1930 to Hiram Zaner Mathews Sr. and Molly Horace Flanagan Mathews. His family moved from Miranda City, Texas, to Alice, Texas, in 1943, where he attended school and later graduated. There he met and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Eggemeyer, on September 19, 1950.
He was the founder and owner of Mathews Heating and Air Conditioning Co. from 1957 to 1998 when the business was sold to Service Experts and he retired. During his life he enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, photography and computers. He was also a skilled carpenter and enjoyed building furniture. In 1950, Richard converted to the Catholic faith and spent countless hours studying his religion, and sharing his faith with family and friends.
During his life, he also was able to travel to many religious sites throughout the world. Richard was a Charter Member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, and was on its building committee. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts, and served on the troop committee for several years.
Richard was a member of the St. Pius X Men's Club, Bridge Club, and served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister in the church before his illness. He was also a member of the International Order of the Alhambra, Baza Caravan #78, Serra Club of Corpus Christi, and the Fourth Degree Knight's of Columbus Council #1202.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hiram Zaner Mathews Sr. in 1943; his brother, Hiram Zaner Mathews Jr. in 1952; his mother, Molly Horace Flanagan Mathews in 1990; his sister, Gloria Faye Kellner in 1991; four sons-in-law, Mark Shelander, Bruce Wojtasczyk, Steve Bodie and Clark Couteau and one infant great-grandson, Byron Zayne Wilson.
He will be greatly missed by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Dorothy Eggemeyer Mathews, his 10 children, Linda Bodie, Helen Shelander, Richard T. (Judy) Mathews Jr., Mary (Tim) Wilson, Judy Boutte, David (Dee Dee) Mathews, Dorothy (Robert) Maxwell, Michael (Yvette) Mathews, Carolyn (Warren) Taylor, Laurie (Robert) Capeheart; his 35 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.
Viewing was held from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Seaside Funeral Home. Viewing continued from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009 at Seaside Funeral Home. A Rosary was recited at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with interment following at Seaside Memorial Park.
Published by the Alice Echo, Nov 24, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Events
| Birth | 10 Dec 1930 | Mirando City, Webb County, Texas |  |  | |
| Marriage | 19 Sep 1950 | Alice, Jim Wells County, Texas - Dorothy May Francis Eggemeyer | |||
| Death | 20 Nov 2009 | Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas | |||
| Alt name | Richard Tatum Mathews | ||||
| Burial | Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas | |
Families
| Spouse | Dorothy May Francis Eggemeyer (1932 - 2016) |
| Father | Hiram Zaner Mathews (1905 - 1948) |
| Mother | Mollie Horace Flanagan (1906 - 1990) |
| Sibling | Hiram Zaner Mathews Jr. (1928 - 1952) |
| Sibling | Gloria Faye "Pill" Mathews (1932 - 1991) |
Notes
Birth
Earl Tatum MathewsEvent Type Birth
Event Date 10 Dec 1930
Event Place Mirando City, Webb, Texas, United States
Sex Male
Father's Name Hiram Z. Mathews - oil field worker
Mother's Name Hoarce Mollie Flanig - housewife
2nd child born to this mother
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