Robert Brodnax Matthews Jr.

Robert Brodnax Matthews Jr. (“Chip”) left this realm to be with our Lord on September 28, 2025 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.

Born September 25, 1947 in Selma, Alabama to Caroline Compton and Robert Brodnax Matthews Sr. (“Bobby”), Chip was raised in Gallion, about 10 miles outside of Demopolis, Alabama. A graduate of the 1965 Demopolis High School class, Chip continued his studies at Rice University as a member of the Naval ROTC unit. Upon graduation he served his country as a navigator in the US Navy for 4 years before continuing his service in the reserves for another 16.

Once his active duty ended, Chip returned to Houston and earned both a Master of Accounting degree from Rice and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from University of Houston. His love of and desire for knowledge would be a guiding light for much of his life and saw him become a professor at Sam Houston State University after a very successful business career.

Sports played a great part in his life: Chip was a statistician/spotter for many professional and college sports, including The Gamblers, Rice football and basketball, and The Texas Terror/Houston ThunderBears. Additionally, for part of his time at SHSU Chip coached the women’s rugby team, guiding the team’s growth both in size and results. In a later coaching stent, he returned to Rice as coach of their women’s rugby team, helping them achieve similar goals.

Stemming from his time in the Navy, Chip had a wanderlust that led him to over 70 countries, including all seven continents. He also traveled to numerous sporting events over his lifetime, attending three British Lions tours, two Rugby World Cups, two World Cups, one Women’s World Cup in addition to innumerable other events with many different travel partners. In addition to travel and sports, he loved playing golf, reading books, and spending time with friends and family.

Above all, Chip will be remembered for how he met the world with great zest and enthusiasm, making the most of every opportunity that he was presented with and always willing to give some of himself to others along the way.

Chip is survived by his wife Felicia A. De La Cruz-Matthews, his son Will Matthews (Yu) of Japan, his brother Pearson Matthews (Ann) of Homewood, Alabama, and his godson Zachary Kovar of Pearland, Texas. Chip is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and all of those who got to know him over his life.

Chip was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby and Caroline.

Arrangements are as follows:

October 14, 2025 – 11:00AM – 12:30PM

Visitation at Integrity Funeral Care

3915 Dacoma St. Ste. E, Houston, TX 77092

October 14, 2025 – 2:00PM –

Celebration of Life at St. Timothy’s Anglican

6819 Louetta Rd, Spring, TX 77379