James Raymond Matthews

James Raymond Matthews

James (Jim, Jimmy) Raymond Matthews, died in Tallahassee Florida in the early morning hours of November 13th, 2022, at HCA Capital Regional Hospital with his daughter by his side after a long hard fought battle from stroke complications and Dementia. Per his request, his ashes will be spread in very special locations where he spent the happiest times of his life with those he loved the most. In lieu of a traditional memorial, an authentic "Jim Matthews North Carolina BBQ weekend" (if you know, you know!) will be held in the Spring of 2023.

Jim was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on May 3, 1948 and grew up in Ocala, Florida. As a child, he and his friends would ride their bikes to Sharpe's Ferry to catch snakes and other animals to sell to Ross Allen at Silver Springs, swim at the K.P. Hole in Dunnellon, explore the underground caverns around Ocala, and he would spend as much time as he could with his favorite Aunt Rae swimming in her pool, riding horses and hanging around his favorite cousins. Jim attended public school in Ocala and always had the best stories about his school years. In high school Jim worked at Tizen's Bigger Burgers with his best friend and always spoke highly of the Spilo's brother's and how they looked out for him and treated him as a part of their own family. In his free time, Jim could be found hanging out at the Ocala Drive-In, The Chicken Ranch, riding his motorcycle around Fort King and the Highlands, and drag racing in the Ocala National Forest. This is where he developed his lifelong love for fast cars and Harley Davidson Motorcycles. After graduating high school in 1966, Jim served in the Army and was stationed in Korea, as well as Vietnam, where he received many accommodations and awards including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Bronze Star. When Jim returned home from Vietnam in the early 70's, he moved from Ocala to North Carolina. Many years of his life were spent in Hillsboro and finally Pittsboro. By trade, Jim was a Plumber working for Sparrow and Sons in Carrboro for many years. Avidly watching UNC basketball, riding his Harley Davidson Sportster, and hiking around Jordan Lake looking for arrowheads, and fishing were just a few of his favorite hobbies. In 2005, Jim retired to Tallahassee, Florida to be closer to his daughter. Jim never met a stranger or hesitated to adopt every stray who wandered his way. Jim's moto was that life's journey is not to go to the grave in a well-preserved body but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "What a ride!" This is how he lived his life. He will be deeply missed by everyone that ever had an opportunity to listen to one of his drawn out, over detailed, topic jumping stories, being dragged along to explore old cemeteries, having BBQ's at midnight, going to Bike Week, quarry swimming, payday Friday nights downtown, or just laying out in a field star gazing and contemplating the universe. He loved it all and always had a crazy idea or was up for anything.

Jim is survived by his daughter Wendy Michelle Matthews Zaleski of Tallahassee, Florida, and his sons Joshua Matthews (Amy Matthews) and Jason Matthews (Jennifer Mathews) of Greensboro, North Carolina. "Pops" also leaves behind seven amazing grandchildren that brought so much love to his heart and that he was so proud of. The stories that started "back in the day" and his daily political news update stories that he would continually tell them will be shared with love and laughter for many years to come.

The family could not have made it through this last year of Jim's life without the kindness, late night phone calls, texts, shoulders to cry on, hugs and medical advice from everyone that loved and cared for Jim. The ER staff and fourth floor PCU Unit at HCA Capital Regional Medical Center were amazing. Every single staff person on the fourth floor from food service, sitters, nurses, physicians, therapists, etc.. were extraordinary and we could not have made it through this last period of our father's life without each and every one of them; Nurse Beach made that last night as our dad left this world so special with her knowledge of what to expect every step of the way and showing so much compassion to not only make sure Jim was comfortable and at peace, but also to his daughter, with her many hugs and words of comfort; Pam Garcia, Val Frentz, Attorney Victoria Heuler and Attorney Mary Wakeman who were there with hugs and advice every step of this long journey; Young & Fulford Funeral Home-Jackie Fulford, we can't say enough about you and how you handled everything when we couldn't-You will always hold a very dear spot in our hearts and will forever be a part of our family; Caretaker, Norma Stewart who was with Jim the last week of his life caring for him and all of the other family, friends and co-workers that were always there day and night throughout his illness. You were all loved and appreciated not just from Jim, but from his children as well. The outpouring of love and hilarious stories that we have received from all those that truly knew our dad has meant the world to us. There was no one like "Matthews" and he will be forever be missed.