Howard Matthews

Howard Allen Matthews

Bountiful – Howard Allen Matthews, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather slipped away on December 10, 2010 at the age of 90. Howard was born in Anaconda, Montana on May 12, 1920, to Ralph Howard and Lillie Amanda Allen Matthews. After his fathers death, his mother moved with Howard and his brother Don to Burley, Idaho. On November 22, 1940 he married Rada Laura Craner in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. While living in Burley, he was drafted and served in France as a sergeant in Pattons 3rd Army during WWII. After the war, he enrolled in college, earning his bachelors and masters degrees. He worked as a teacher and principal in Idaho. In 1953, he moved with his family to Anchorage, Alaska. Then in 1955, the family moved to Juneau where Howard became Commissioner of Education for the Territory. In January of 1960, he was asked to work for the U.S. Office of Education in Washington, D.C. He earned his Ph.D. and served as Undersecretary of Education for T.H. Bell. Later, he worked for Senator Orrin Hatch. Upon retirement, he moved to Bountiful where he and Rada enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Together they worked in the Washington, D.C., Salt Lake, and Bountiful LDS temples. Throughout his life, Howard served others through his callings in the LDS Church and as a good neighbor and handyman. He loved his family and his friends. He will be greatly missed. Howard is survived by his wife, Rada, of Salt Lake City; son, Larry (Alayne), of St. George; and son, Kent (Kristine), and brother Donald Matthews of Salt Lake City. Also surviving him are his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Utah, Idaho, North Carolina, and Connecticut. A dear grandson, Michael Matthews, preceded him in death. The family expresses gratitude to the staff of the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home for their compassionate care. Funeral services will be held at the Bountiful Hills Ward (1190 East Bountiful Hills Drive) at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 15, 2010. Friends may call prior to the services at the church on Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 am and from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, December 14 at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Bountiful. Interment: Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com.