David Harold Matthews

In Loving Memory of David Harold Matthews

November 10, 1937 – April 19, 2025

Dave passed peacefully on April 19, 2025. He was born on November 10, 1937, in Pocatello, Idaho, to George Washington (Jerry) Matthews and Mary Ann Bush Matthews. Dave was the youngest of his family and loved to recall tales of his childhood, looking for lost gold with his father, and adventuring with his brothers and his dog Rex in the hills above Inkom.

From a young age, Dave developed a love of fast cars and old trucks. He could recall the make, model and the specific quirks of each one. He had an affinity to fix things that weren’t broken (taking them apart to see how they worked) and explained things in a gentle way that was always appreciated. He had a lifelong love of discovering, learning, tinkering, teaching, and storytelling.

Shortly after graduating from Inkom High School, Dave joined the United States Air Force in 1956. He served in CA, CO, MA and NY and met members of the church who had a strong influence on him. He was honorably discharged in 1959 as a Nuclear Medical Technician. Although Dave descended from a long line of Mormon pioneers and grew up around the church, he had not joined the church. After a series of miraculous events and meeting influential people, Dave chose to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

Dave loved to share the story of his conversion with others and decided to serve a mission. He was called to serve in the New England States Mission. He grew to love New England, Nova Scotia, and the people there.

He stayed in close contact with many missionaries, companions, friends and families. His mission is where he met a special sister missionary, Jean Marie Tibbitts of Bountiful, Utah. They later married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity on Decemeber 20, 1963. Dave and Jean served in many callings in their local congregation, wherever they were needed. Dave had many church callings, but his love was to serve anonymously.

Dave had a varied career working as a neon sign salesman, a long-haul truck driver, a missile transport specialist, and maintained a small family farm. During his career, Dave had the opportunity to work with one of his close friends and missionary companions, John Morgan. They traveled around the country in a custom motor home and shared many adventures, even with many of their children joining them along the way.

Dave and Jean started their family in Bountiful and then settled in West Point, Utah, where they raised 7 children. He loved being a father and later a grandfather. Dave is survived by his children, Todd (Cindy) of Utah, Tina (Eric) Forsgren of Utah, Tami of Utah, Travis of Washington, and Trisha (Joshua) Sims of Alaska, and daugther-in-law, Jenny Lo Matthews of Utah.

Dave will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Race (Brinley, fiancé) and Maya Matthews, Isabella Matthews, Andee, Matthew and Benjamin Forsgren, and Shane, Isla and Cora Sims. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Robert and Bonnie Tibbitts, sisters-in-law Susan, Barbara, and Joan Tibbitts.

Dave’s family is happy that he is now reunited with his eternal companion, Jean, and his sons Kurtis Troy (Troy Boy), and Terry Alan (Jenny) Matthews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, sister Donna and brothers Dean and Dale Matthews, and brothers-in-law, Dean, Gary, and Alan Tibbitts.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 6 – 8 pm at the Syracuse Russon Mortuary, at 1585 West 300 South, Syracuse, Utah. Funeral Services will be on Friday, April 25 at 10 am with a short viewing prior from 8:45 – 9:45 am at the West Point 5th Ward Chapel, 3488 West  300 North, West Point, Utah, 84015 . Interment will be at the West Point Cemetery.