James John Matthews

James "John" MATTHEWS Age 59. Graveside services for James "John" Matthews, 59, of Shallowater, TX will be at 2:00 p.m., Wed., March 3, 2010 in the Portales Cemetery with David Heflin officiating. Tim Matthews, Rick Perham, Steve Bellflower, Chris McCready, Renae Kimsey and Cheryl Whiteley will serve as pallbearers. James "John" Matthews was born Dec. 3, 1950 in Tulsa, OK to Olive Mae and Jimmy Matthews and died very suddenly Thurs. evening, Feb. 25, 2010 in Lubbock, TX. During his early years he lived in Cheyenne, WY. At the age of 13 he moved to Houston, TX and then about two years later he returned to Cheyenne. At the age of 16, he joined the Job Corps. Before his 18th birthday, John enlisted in the Army and served in Taiwan from 1968 until 1972. When he was discharged, he returned home for a short time before moving to Seattle, WA where he made his home for 28 years. On May 19, 1989 in Federal Way, WA he was married to Brenda Dever. For a number of years, he worked for Dick's Towing and Road Service in Sea-Tac, WA. For more than 12 years he and his brother, Larry,co-owned a 24 hour roadside assistance service and gas station. In 2001, he and his wife sold their home and moved into a motor home. In 2002, they purchased property in Shallowater, TX, and for the past eight years he has made his home there. Since 2004, he and his wife were a long distance truck driving team. In his spare time he enjoyed building model trucks, and doing woodwork. Through the years, he had produced some beautiful pieces of furniture. For relaxation, he liked to play Spades on the computer and play domino games. He is survived by his wife, Brenda of their home; a son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Tanya Matthews of Shallowater, TX; five daughters and two sons-in-law, Tonya Campeau and Trishelle Matthews both of Maple Valley, WA, Tiffany and Steve Bellflower of Glenwood City, WI, Cheryl Whiteley of Shallowater, TX and Renae and Scott Kimsey of Auburn, WA; 15 grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Joan Holmes of Auburn, WA. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, a brother, Don and a sister, Charlotte. Arrangements by Wheeler Mortuary, 575-356-4455