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Daniel Matthews Obituary


Family-Placed Death Notice

MATTHEWS, Daniel, Sr. DANIEL JOHNSON MATTHEWS, SR. Daniel Johnson Matthews, Sr., a former Des Moines resident, died at his home in Atlanta, Georgia on November 29, 2010. He was 80 years old. He was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1930, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the first child of Antoinette Johnson Matthews and William Collins Matthews. Dan attended the Out-Of-Doors School on Oakdale Road, the first private nursery school in Atlanta, Georgia, founded by his mother Antoinette Johnson Matthews. He attended the Druid Hills School in Atlanta through the 7th Grade, and spent World War II in uniform at the Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia. He studied at Emory University his freshman year, the Atlanta Division of the University of Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia with a degree in Journalism. He served in the Army Reserves. Dan worked for Meredith Publishing Company, Better Homes and Gardens, in Des Moines, Iowa as an editor and in advertising sales. He also worked for the Des Moines Register and Tribune Syndicate selling columns, editorials and comic strips throughout the Southeast. While working for Meredith, Dan and his family were transferred to Chicago, Illinois; Grosse Pointe, Michigan; and back to Des Moines, Iowa. Additionally, Dan worked as a freelance journalist. Dan and his first wife Norma Sexton Matthews were married October 13, 1956, and had three children: Sarah Matthews Pongracz (Theodore) of Marco Island, Florida: Emily Elizabeth Matthews (Anthony Caponi) of Gloucester, Massachusetts; and Daniel Johnson Matthews, Jr., of Watkinsville, Georgia. He has one grandchild Lowell Thomas Matthews of Watkinsville, Georgia. Dan was preceded in death by his brother Michael, his parents, and his first wife Norma. Dan married Jon Evanlee Daum June 27, 2001. Evanlee was his constant companion and the joy of the later years of his life. After Norma's death in 1981, Dan moved back to the family homestead in the Druid Hills suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. He was very proud of being a 5th Generation Atlantan living on his family's property. Dan was a descendant of a number of Atlanta's pioneer families including the Medlocks, the Johnsons, the Chandlers and the Harrises. Among his famous family members were Joel Chandler Harris and General David Blackshear. Dan is also survived by his cousin Jean Johnson Givens, of Decatur, Georgia who was like a sister to him; Jean's children Julianne (Thomas) Goecke of Decatur; Michael (Lois) Givens of Norcross, Georgia; and Daniel (Bertie) Givens of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and their children and grandchildren; in addition to numerous other cousins, two step grandchildren, and one step great grandchild. It was Dan's desire to be cremated and not to have any memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Georgia Military College Foundation for the Georgia Military Prep School. Georgia Military College Foundation, Office of Advancement, 201 East Greene Street, Milledgeville, Georgia 31061, (478) 445-2692, www.gmcfoundation.org Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation Society and Memorial Centers in Marietta. (770) 420-5557.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec. 5, 2010.
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6 Entries

"He was the best and dearest friend anyone could have!" Exclamed many times by Ray Arnold brst frend from boyhood... by Ray's daughter Lynda Arnold Hunt.

Ray Arnold

December 12, 2010

Dan Matthews is now a legend and will be sorely missed. A man of letters, wit, and warmth. The thoughts of his Iowa-Atlanta comrades are with his family.

Hartlan Miller

December 8, 2010

Sarah, Emily and Daniel ...and Evanlee ....
Dick and I hold such fond memories of Dan, Norma, Sarah, Emily and Daniel (who were 5, 1 1/2 and a few months when you moved next door to us on Cranford Lane. Those years as neighbors and close friends are indeed unforgettable. And to think we have remained close to your family over all these years. Of course, Sarah's marriage to my brother, Ted, was a wonderful event! And although we were like family, we are now indeed family. We were delighted when Dan married Evanlee and found happiness later in his life. So, to all we extend our heartfelt sympathy and love always ,,,
Marie and Dick Neil, also Ken Neil and family and Emily Skinner and family

December 7, 2010

I had a lot of good times with Dan. Sorry we haven't been closer in recent years.

Richard Hatch Sr.

December 5, 2010

I remember both Dan and Norma foundly. IIf I remember correctly, I enjoyed my first drink of Southern Comfort int heir home. I'm Dan, Norma and my husband, Chris Froshieser are enjoying each other's company in heaven. Do you think they're discussing politics? It was truly a pleasure knowing Dan and Norma. May God bless their family and friends.

Jeanie (Frosheiser) Hudson

December 5, 2010

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Ian Giles

December 5, 2010

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