Thomas Frederick Mathews

Thomas F. Mathews, age 71, passed away at Rocky Mountain Care in Riverton, UT on Monday, May 25, 2019. He was born on January 4, 1949 to Thomas and Vanese (Barker) Mathews in Washington D.C. He was the 2nd son and has 5 sisters and 3 brothers. He grew up in Washington D.C. graduating from high school in 1966 from Coolidge Senior High School and then graduated from Ricks College with an Associate's degree in Sociology in 1968. Next, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Australian East Mission from 1969-1971. He then went to BYU where he met his soon to be wife Christine Russell, they married in the Manti Temple in April 1974. They have 6 children. He worked in retail sales, loans, and management for several companies. He served in various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including many leadership callings in branch presidencies and bishoprics as well as being called as a bishop in Kingman, AZ. Later in life he was a ward and stake clerk to many bishops and stake presidents. He loved serving his fellowman and taught his children and grandchildren to serve well. He enjoyed all his callings even teaching early morning seminary. He devoted his small amount of leisure time to playing and watching sports. His favorite to watch was always whatever his children or grandchildren were participating in, often being the loudest person yelling from the stands. He is survived by his wife Christine (Russell), his children, Janna, Tom (Angilyn), Micah (Holen), Robert (Andrea), Richard (Allison), and Christopher (Andreah), and 22 grandchildren; his siblings, Ilene (Terry) Shelton, Ruth, Lorin, Lydia, Ann (Craig) Schmoldt, and Susan (Carl) Landry, and other family members. He is proceeded in death by his mother Vanese, father Thomas, brothers Dennis and Gary. A graveside service will be held this week with a celebration of life memorial service planned in the next couple of months.