Arthur Lloyd MATTHEWS

Arthur Lloyd Matthews

December 4, 1927 to October 17, 2019

Art was born in Oakland, California in 1927, and was a 64-year resident of San Leandro, spending nearly the past two years in Castro Valley at Baywood Court Senior Facility. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Doe Matthews; and his parents: William Lloyd Mathews and Camille Maxine Matthews of Alamo, California.

Art is survived by his son, Mark Dwayne Matthews of San Leandro, California, and his daughter, Marcia Woody Harper (and Larry D. Harper) of Royse City, Texas.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Shelly and Jr. Gaston of Livermore; Robyn and Gary Wilson of Brentwood; Jeff and Allyson Woody of Fate, Texas; and Matthew and Robyn Harper of Royse City, Texas. Great-grandchildren: Joshua Gaston, Jazmine Gaston, Landon Wilson, Haylee Wilson, and Dane Woody.

Art is also survived by his sister, Maxine Matthews Soto (and William T. Soto) of Danville, California, and his brother-in-law Robert Hiatt Doe (and Elizabeth Fey Doe) of Santa Rosa, California. Nieces: Terri Doe Cordell of Santa Rosa, Tracy Repp (and David Repp) of Santa Rosa, and Cheryl Dressler (and Tom Dressler) of Pleasanton.

Art lived briefly in Van Nuys, California, then the family moved to Oakland, California where Art attended Oakland schools: McChesney, Brett Harte, and Fremont High School, where he was quarterback of the football team.

He served 2 years in US Marine Corps after high school graduation and then attended San Mateo Junior College as an Engineering and Science major, where he met his wife Barbara.

Art married Barbara in 1951 and moved to Albany, living in University of California student housing while he majored in Forestry at the University of California, Berkeley. He left Cal in 1952 to work at Melrose Lumber Company in Oakland. While at Melrose Lumber, Art rose through the ranks from yard work, inside sales, outside sales, shipping clerk, credit manager to assistant manager. In 1980 he became the General Manager and President of Melrose Lumber.

Art and Barbara joined Christ Presbyterian Church in Washington Manor in 1960, where Art served as a Deacon, Elder, and Fargo Senior Center Board member. He and Barbara were participants in the Schooners couples group at Christ Presbyterian Church for many years, as well as Presbyterians on Wheels (POWs), in their RV days.

Art was a member of a fishing club and numerous bowling leagues with neighbors and friends. In the 1970s and 1980s, Art was a member of the San Lorenzo Unified School District Scholarship Foundation, determining scholarships for local high school students.

An avid Cal Football supporter, Art was a football season ticket holder for decades and was a Cal Booster. He enjoyed working with wood, carpentry, and traveling with his wife Barbara throughout the US, Mexico, and Europe.

Due to failing health in January 2018, Art moved from San Leandro to Baywood Court in Castro Valley. In his 20 months at Baywood, his health greatly improved. Art was able to attend his wife Barbara's memorial service in September 2019. His strength following her passing was a blessing to their family.

A private Memorial Service for family was held on October 26, 2019, at Christ Presbyterian Church in San Leandro. His interment was held at Skylawn Cemetery in San Mateo on November 7, 2019.

Donations in Art's memory can be made to: Make-A-Wish Foundation (online at wish.org or by phone: 800-722-9474.

The long list of those Art called "family" is far-reaching. His quiet strength, love of family, kindness, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all.