J.M. Mathews

BURLESON -- J.M. Mathews died peacefully in his sleep Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, at a Fort Worth hospice with all his family by his side. Funeral: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Calvary Church on McPherson Rd. in Fort Worth. Interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. He was born April 19, 1925, in Cedar Hill. He graduated from Irving High School and entered Texas A&M Cadet School in 1943. Prior to his graduation, he went to Europe with the 464th Bomber Group (Heavy), U.S. Army Air Corps. He flew 23 bombing combat missions as a B-24 radio operator stationed at Cerignola, Italy. He married Doris Lenore Murren, July 15, 1945. After World War II he went to work for Bell Co. in Amarillo. He later moved to Brownwood and then to Burleson, where he retired from Southwestern Bell Co. after 45 years. J.M. was a fifth-generation Texan, an avid golfer who shot his age or better four times and was a very devoted Christian who attended Calvary Church, on McPherson Rd. in Fort Worth. He enjoyed his cows and chickens, gardening and going to the Burger Box to have coffee with his buddies. Most of all he enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and Doris, his wife of 60 years. Survivors: Brother, W. Glen Mathews of Cloud Croft, N.M.; his sons, Bill and wife, Sue, of Little Elm, James and wife, Judy, of San Angelo, Robert and wife, Diane, of Sun City and Bruce and wife, Cretha, of Rowlett; daughters, Susan Irwin and husband, Erik, of Burleson and Phyllis Bustillos and husband, Simon, of Alvarado; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.