Lee Mathews, Jr

Lee Berkeley Mathews, Jr. July 11, 1919-December 10, 2011

Lee quietly slipped away at the home of his son after a short decline in his health at the age of 92 years. He was comfortable and alert to the last, always expressing gratitude for his care and love for his family. He is the eldest son of Dr. Lee Berkeley Mathews, Sr. and Margaret Mary Irene Higgs, a WW I doctor and nurse. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland, a descendant of many generations of southerners from Georgia and Virginia. He excelled in journalism and art, attending the Baltimore School of Art prior to joining the Army Air Corps in 1939. He was stationed in Salt Lake City where he met and courted Laura Beth Blomquist before being shipped out in 1940 to the Philippines. Shortly after his arrival came Pearl Harbor and he was captured in May 1942 spending nearly 4 years as a prisoner of war in Japan. Upon his return he married Laura in 1946 and they had 2 sons, Jeffrey and David who survive him. Laura passed away in 1987 and he remarried an old high school friend, Dorothy Shafer in 1990, and they lived in their hometown of Cumberland near Dorothys children, Cheryl and Gary. They were both blessed for many years by the tender care given by Drenda Haines. Dorothy passed away in 2007 and Lee moved back to Utah where he enjoyed the company of his family including 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He was comfortable, always enjoyed reading and learning, and visiting the farm where he had a special interest in the garden and horses. He has been a constant example to us all of honesty, caring for others, and his example of gratitude for his care. Viewing will be from 6-8 on Thursday December 15, and the funeral service at noon on Friday Dec 16, both at the Russon Brothers Mortuary , 255 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. He will be buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery in the family plot. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com