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Alden MATTHEWS Obituary
age 93, died on Oct. 8, 2014. A resident of Palm Harbor, Alden lived much of his life in Asia. Born in Chicago, he went as an infant with his missionary parents, Harold and Grace Matthews, to North China where he grew up. He returned to the U.S. to complete his high school education and graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa. He studied at the University of Chicago and graduated from Chicago Theological Seminary, later earning a doctorate. As a young man, he served in the Navy and Naval Reserve as a chaplain. He married Grinnell classmate, Derrith Lovell, studied at Yale and they went to Fuzhou, South China as Congregational missionaries for the American Board in 1947. When the foreigners were asked to leave China after the Communist revolution, they returned to the U.S. He continued studies at Union Seminary, NYC, and they were assigned to the United Church of Christ in Japan. Alden held several positions in Japan, including seminary professor, pastor, and church administrator. He was a member of the League of Women Voters, a Rotarian Emeritus, and member of Crystal Beach Community Church, as well as serving on many prestigious boards in Japan. His autobiography, My Three Worlds, was published in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Sallie Parks; sister, Char (Ken) Keating; and daughters, Cynthia (Tom) Miller, Jacqueline Matthews (Walter Toomes) and Ellen (Jim) Alger; six grandchildren; and nine greats as well as Sheri Parks Cumings and Steven Parks and their families.
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Memories and Condolences
for Alden MATTHEWS
Janet Fairfield Figge
November 3, 2014
Dear Sallie, Cynthia, Jackie and Ellen - I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Alden and all of you hold a very special place in my heart. My childhood memories of all the times we shared will forever make me smile. I'm sure he and my Dad are catching up in Heaven:-) Love to all!
Linda Damsky
October 18, 2014
October 18, 2014
It was a privilege to have known Alden. Having first met in Japan and then again in Palm Harbor, I was always touched by his kind and sensitive heart. His knowledge of China and Japan was fascinating and he made such a positive impact on all he encountered. Rest in peace.
JB Hoover
October 17, 2014
Alden was instrumental in founding the Asian Rural Institute in Japan, more than 40 years ago. He oversaw Tom Takami, ARI's founding Director when he was at Tsurukawa Rural Theological Seminary, the predecessor of ARI. On behalf of the world wide ARI and AFARI (American Friends of ARI) family, we give thanks for the tremendous life of Alden. His great legacy will live on through the lives of all those he touched.
October 15, 2014
Sallie and Fsmily , So sorry to hear of your great loss. My prayers are with you.
Jan Rauer
Sally Gronda
October 13, 2014
Sallie, I have remembered you in my thoughts and prayers since your phone call. You and Alden had an amazing life together filled with so many wonderful memories. May the love of friends and family carry you through this time.
Martha Lenderman
October 13, 2014
Alden was an extraordinary man who lived a truly extraordinary life. His "Three Lives" taught me much. He will be much missed. Peace.
Brenda Black
October 13, 2014
Sallie and family members I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Maggie Hall
October 13, 2014
Condolences to Sallie and family on the loss of a wonderful man who made the world a better place. Many prayers.
October 13, 2014
Alden was my grandfather and I loved him for his warmth, the interest he took in all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren's lives, his profound insights into life which he shared through his writing and letters, and his love of yummy Asian food. I have so many fond memories of him from childhood as he bounced us on his knee to his version of "Here rides a lady", to the many books he gave us as presents, to the special packages arriving from Japan full of yummy treats, to his officiating at my first wedding, to the last time I saw him at his home in Florida. I also honor him for his incredible legacy of being part of the unfolding of modern China as a boy and later as a man and his work in post-war Japan. He ministered to many, many people from many cultures and backgrounds and he continued his charity and service in his later years through Rotary work, amongst others. He has inspired all of us with his life, a life well lived, and we will miss him very much.
Tom Miller
October 12, 2014
Alden's memory was amazing and an extraordinary thing to witness, which I was able to do when I was recently interviewing him on video. There was always a sense of a need to accomplish things and he was one of the strongest souls I have come across whose abilities ranged across many areas, speaking Chinese, athletic capabilities in tennis and being able to just shepherd the people he did with great love and compassion over so many years. He was so competent in so many different cultures. The world will miss you, Alden, but we know you are enjoying a truly multicultural place.
Alden
October 12, 2014
Dr. C. Miller
October 12, 2014
Isn't technology wonderful? And it takes the younger generations to really make good use of it. Alden was my wonderful Dad who gave us so much - love and support, a genealogy search back to Alfred the Great, a book about his bigger than life childhood growing up in China and all the family stories we will never forget. He and his wife, Sallie, taught us a lot about true love and we are sure that throughout his life he spread good will as an exemplary example of servant leader. Now, that he is "swallowed up in victory", he can truly dance.
Kendrick Lasater
October 11, 2014
Let me be the first to say Alden had a wonderful way of giving you just what you needed. He was my grandfather and I have many found memories of him telling story of Asian and reading to me. As a child, he gave me many books on Knight and Ladies which in turn have molded my character to be that of chivalry, kindness and a desire for great adventure and even greater stories. You will be missed. Love, Kendrick
James Bradley
October 11, 2014
Alden Matthews touched our lives while we were at Crystal Beach Community Church. He was kind,always encouraging, challenging as one who loved to read and always supportive of of our leadership. Our prayers are with you Sally and with each member of the Alden's family. Jim and Judy Bradley
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