Dr. Clifford C. Matthews Jr.

1948 - 2022

Dr. Clifford C. Matthews, Jr.
February 2, 1948 - January 4, 2022
Lexington, Kentucky - Dr. Clifford C. Matthews of Jessamine County, KY, died January 4, 2022, at Baptist Health in Lexington, KY. He was born February 2, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Clifford C. Matthews, Sr., and Helen Weise Matthews. He and his wife, Annetta, lived in Somerset, KY, for over 30 years and were members of the First Presbyterian Church. In high school, Dr. Matthews ran track, sang in the choir, and was captain of the football team. He received a track scholarship to Miami University in Oxford, OH, where he studied chemistry and German. He was a member of the University choir that performed with the Cincinnati Symphony and toured around Europe. After graduating from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970, he moved to Heidelberg, Germany. There, he worked as a research assistant under Professor Wilhelm Hasselbach at the world-renowned Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Department of Physiology; and under Professor Eberhard Ritz in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology at Heidelberg University. He subsequently attended medical school at Heidelberg University (founded in 1386) while continuing his work as a research assistant. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1979 with both MD and PhD degrees. Throughout his time alongside some of the most esteemed research scholars, his work was published over 10 times in medical journals. This research was groundbreaking for muscle cell biochemistry, specifically regarding the effect of Vitamin D on calcium transport by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Upon his return to the United States, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical College of Ohio and affiliated hospitals in Toledo. He also spent a summer at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He then completed his fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. After moving to Somerset in 1990, he was named Medical Director of the Somerset Dialysis Center and two other units in surrounding counties as Medical Director of Fresenius Medical Care. He opened his own private practice in Nephrology in 1990 and was an active medical staff member of Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital where he served his patients until his death. Dr. Matthews also served as a clinical medical professor at Marshall University Medical School in Huntington, WV, University of Kentucky Medical School, and Lake Cumberland Residency Program. He was a member of the International Society of Nephrology, the Kentucky Medical Association, and the American Society of Nephrology. Dr. Matthews was highly successful yet extremely humble. He was a compassionate, empathetic, generous, and tremendously witty man who never minded laughing at himself. He treasured helping others and always put his family first. He had a love for classical music and art, coupled with an inquisitive nature that fostered lifelong learning—all of which he passed onto his grandchildren. At home, he and Annetta would start the morning with coffee and the newspaper. They loved to travel, whether it be a short trip to the next county, a scenic drive to the beach, or a journey abroad to experience adventures together. On the rare occasion he was not working, you might find him gardening or mowing his yard. He loved decorating for Christmas, especially at their Somerset home on College Street. He was an avid reader and cherished their fur babies. He had a gentle demeanor, a passion for teaching, and a love for his grandchildren beyond measure. His eyes always lit up when they entered the room. He and Annetta moved to Jessamine County in 2019 to be closer to their family and enjoy the peaceful countryside. Dr. Matthews is survived by his wife, Annetta Sigler Matthews; daughters Debra Wilson of Lexington; Lisa Neal and (Shaun) of Jessamine County; as well as three grandchildren: Stormy Neal of Jessamine County; Conley Neal of Jessamine County; and Adriel Wilson of Lexington. Also surviving him are his sister, Susan Bucco and (Robert) of Malvern, PA; niece Margaret Bucco and (Mark), great nephew Birch; nephew Tom Bucco; and several cousins. The family welcomes your attendance at the memorial service in honor of Dr.Matthews, which will be held at First Baptist Church (128 North Main Street) in Somerset on Saturday, February 19 at 11:30 AM EST. Immediate family had a prayer service prior to his interment at Blue Grass Memorial Gardens on January 10. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: Autism Society of the Bluegrass, 453 Rookwood Pkwy., Lexington, KY 40505 or Presbyterian World Mission, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202.