Thomas Glen Mathes

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Thomas Mathes Obituary

Thomas Glen Mathes

Tom Mathes died on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2014 at the Veteran's Medical Center, Reno, NV. He was born to Margaret N. and Claude R. Mathes on August 30, 1950 in Eugene, Oregon and was preceded in death by his father in 1989. He is survived by his mother, Margaret, sister Susan Mathes Purcell (Rick), brother Casey (Caroline), and six nephews and one niece. Tom graduated from Churchill County High School, Fallon, NV in 1968 and entered the United States Air Force. Tom was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for basic training.

Tom chose attack dog K9 duty and was introduced to his first of several canine partners by the instructor opening the door and throwing him inside. The introduction lasted but a short time and Tom always said it took a few seconds for the ensuing dust to settle before the outline of a 105 pound, testosterone-hyper charged German Shepherd to take shape. Amid the snarling and gnashing of teeth, Tom was let back out of the cage where he quickly checked his body parts and was surprised all was intact. The introduction had been a success.

Tom and his new partner "Marshall" were sent to Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. There were many times that his canine partners saved his life from the Viet Cong snipers, and helped him earn the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1970 for providing flight line security under adverse conditions, including small arms and rocket fire.

After Viet Nam, Tom was sent to Italy where he finished out his tour of duty while also earning his Black Belt in Karate and his Diver's Certificate. He returned to the states and enrolled at UNR and earned his BS in Geology.

Tom worked in the construction industry for many years as an inspector throughout the western US, and Mexico. A master storyteller, he always had hilarious renditions of being chased by bears in Alaska and close encounters of the dangerous kind in Mexico. Tom was also a book author, an avid outdoorsman, placer miner, and survivalist.

In lieu of flowers, please thank someone in the military that Tom was so proud to have been a part of. A service will be held at the Northern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery Columbarium Wall on Friday November 21 at 1500.

The family thanks the CLC personnel, and all departments of the VMC for their exceptional support and care for Tom.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Nov. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Mathes

7 Entries

Tom, off-duty in Italy, circa 1971-72

Bob Balazik

October 4, 2017

Tom with Trey circa 1971

Bob Balazik

October 3, 2017

Aviano AFB circa 1971-72

Robert (Bobby) Balazik

October 3, 2017

Aviano AFB circa 1971-72

Robert (Bobby) Balazik

October 3, 2017

Aviano AFB circa 1971-72

Robert (Bobby) Balazik

October 3, 2017

Robert (Bobby) Balazik

October 2, 2017

"We we airmen once and young..."

I served with with Tom in the USAF during his tour rotation to Italy in the early 1970s and was honored to call him a friend. I learned of his passing from another USAF Vet and long-time friend (Marty D.) who also served with Tom during that same time period... I was deeply saddened upon hearing the news. But over time, after sharing many "Tom stories" with Marty, my sadness gradually lifted. Because in remembering Tom, you could not help but smile to yourself.

Tom was a thin guy with sandy blond hair and easy-going smile. He seemed to always have a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Tom's spontaneous, devil-may-care nature was such that you'd always want to hang out with him because a day spent with Tom would not be a wasted day and definitely would not be boring. It didn't seem like twenty-four hours per day were enough for Tom. There was always things to do, places to go, and experiences to be had. He was a bit of a rolling stone, a seeker of adventure, a master storyteller of humorous tales, a kind of Pied Piper and Peter Pan rolled into one.

Back then, more likely than not, you'd see Tom during his off-duty hours, wearing old leather moccasins or high-tops, faded blue jeans, a serape vest, and his much beloved grey t-shirt with "NEVADA" emblazoned across the front in large blocky letters. Which brings to mind one of Tom's stories on the topic... a girl once asked, upon seeing the state name across the front of his t-shirt, if he was from Nevada? Without skipping a beat, Tom replied, "Nah, I'm really from Massachusetts, but my chest is too narrow for all the letters to fit." This is just one small example of the sharp wit, quick and nimble mind that Tom possessed. And woe be unto you if you were ever the target of such a mind.

Tom was truly a one-of-a-kind individual. I feel fortunate, even though it was for a short while, that our life-paths intersected back then. I regret not keeping in touch in the years following our service together. I would have loved to have known the Tom of those later years. And although he is gone, those who knew him will never forget him.

Charles & Mary Lee Schafer

November 19, 2014

It is obvious from the wonderful obituary written by his sister, that Tom was an interesting and complex man. We've heard many great stories about "Tommy", as she called him, from his loving mother, Margaret. We are sorry that we didn't get to know him better. The world is a lesser place without Tom in it. Yet, we know that Tom is now in a land of Love and he is free from pain and suffering. We send our sincere condolences and sympathies for his loss to his family.

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