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Mathews, Terry L.

December 11, 1943 –
 January 14, 2017

Obituary

Terry L. Mathews was born and raised in Beatrice, Nebraska.  Even as a young boy and into his high school years, he was interested in agriculture and was part of the 4H club.  One of his many loves was fishing and pheasant hunting with his father, Cal, and brother, Randy.  The boys spent a lot of time with their dad on these activities.  They even helped out at Sunrise Bakery where their father worked as a delivery man.  When Cal got sick, the brothers took over his delivery routes, transporting baked goods to local Beatrice stores and residents.  Sadly, their father passed away when Terry was a senior in high school.

When Terry attended the University of Nebraska, he majored in Agriculture but had to take a break from college to save money for tuition and help his mother and brother.  During that year, he worked at a bank, and when he returned to college, he decided to change his major to Business.  After graduating the University of Nebraska, he joined the US Air Force and went to Officer Candidate School in San Antonio, Texas.  Attending a New Year’s Day party at his Colonel’s house, he met the colonel’s daughter and future wife, Dee Head.  They began dating, and as fate would have it, Terry was transferred to a remote assignment in Alaska for a year.  When he volunteered to go to Vietnam, he was stationed there for a year.  Then, he requested an assignment in Lubbock, Texas to be close to Dee who was teaching at a local school.  Shortly after, Terry & Dee got engaged and were married in San Antonio, Texas in July 1973.

Seven months after their wedding, the US Air Force sent them to Anchorage, Alaska where Terry was the Administrative Officer for the 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.  He really enjoyed his squadron and all of Alaska’s outdoor activities, like cross-country skiing, salmon fishing, hunting, and teaching Dee to shoot.  They loved it there, but after Merynn was born in December 1976, he requested a transfer to North Texas to be closer to both of their families.  While stationed in Wichita Falls, they had their second daughter, Micaela, in September 1978.

In 1980, the family began civilian life in Carrollton, Texas.  Soon after, Terry started training at the Richardson Post Office.  With a permanent assignment in place, the family moved to Richardson in 1986, buying their “forever home”.

Because he really missed Alaska, Terry would return annually for hunting trips.  He enjoyed the challenge of crossing Alaskan glaciers, climbing mountains, camping in the wilderness, and spending time with his hunting buddies.

Terry was always such a giving, loving, and considerate man.  As a letter carrier, he met all sorts of different people along his routes.  His favorites were his “little old ladies”, with whom he chatted and repaired household items.  He was also a wonderful family man, going to every activity that he could with his daughters, helping them with their homework, occasionally driving carpool, assisting neighbors, and just being an all-around good guy.  After retiring, he even “moved” to San Antonio for over a month to assist his mother-in-law while she was recovering from surgery.

Unfortunately, there was no cure for Terry’s Early Onset Alzheimer’s, so his health slowly, steadily declined.  We were lucky to have many good years, where he was able to handle everyday chores and take care of himself.  He would even make jokes about himself, like he “forgot” to fold the laundry.

In true Terry-fashion, always thinking of others, he waited to pass until his family had a chance to say good-bye. Only when his wife and daughters were together with him, holding his hands and telling him they loved him, did he take his last breath and join his family and friends in Heaven.

Terry is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Dee Mathews, and daughters Merynn Niewinski (John) and Micaela Mathews; grandsons Cade and Garrett Niewinski; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Cal and Hazel (Behrens) Mathews and brother Randy Mathews.  The family is appreciative of Terry’s caregivers Ron, Benny, and Elizabeth.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 21 at 11:00 AM at Aria Funeral Home, 19310 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75252 with a celebration directly following at his sister/brother-in-law’s home in the neighborhood.

Obit _ Terry & Dee Wedding Obit_Air ForceObit_Young YardObit_Christmas Mathews Family 2012

Arrangements are under the direction of: ARIA Cremation Service & Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700 phone

    Richard Davis
    18 Jan 2017
    9:10am

    Mathews Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my good friend Terry. I worked with Terry at the Richardson PO. He was my T-6 for many years and I really enjoyed working with him. Please know you are I need my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time. God Bless.
    Richard Davis

    Ann Jaksa Skaehill
    18 Jan 2017
    11:18am

    Oh ladies, I am just so heart broken for you all. I have so many great memories of being with your family, eating meals together, cheering over sports together, and hanging on for life when Dee drove us home from basketball practice 😉 Ok, really it was only that one time. Your dad/husband was ALWAYS laughing and always making all of us laugh. God be with you as you grieve this monumental loss. Love, Ann

    Becca Itkowitz
    18 Jan 2017
    11:24am

    You all are in my heart and prayers.
    I have such great memories of “Merynn’s dad) doing some of the carpools for our softball practices and likely a movie or three. I can remember his kind voice and laugh. I love that you all can really laugh – I remember a lot of laughs-and hope you hold those memories with you. I’m sorry I can not be there in person. Big love sent from across the sea. Xo

    Jennifer Lacy
    18 Jan 2017
    12:26pm

    Matthews family-

    I am sorry for your loss. I am glad you were able to spend time with him before he passed. Praying for you all.

    Essie Dorrough (MCI/Verizon)
    18 Jan 2017
    12:30pm

    Dee you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this season. Earth has no sorrow Heaven cannot heal. May God continue to comfort bless and keep you and your family
    Essie Dorrough

    Jennifer Johns
    18 Jan 2017
    1:30pm

    I have so many fond memories of spending time with your family. Terry will be deeply missed. May loving memories of him bring you peace, comfort, and strength. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love you bunches!

    Rose Garza & Traci Lane
    18 Jan 2017
    5:59pm

    Our deepest condolences. He will always be in your heart and thoughts.

    Kelly Thomas
    18 Jan 2017
    8:03pm

    I am so sorry Merynn and Micaela. You are in my family’s prayers.

    daryl l. reindl
    18 Jan 2017
    10:58pm

    Terry was a long time hunting partner and friend of mine here in Alaska. He dedicated himself 110% to all of the physical and mental tasks needed for the 2 mile high adventures, especially Dall sheep hunting. His physical strength doubled on more than one occasion, helping us out of particularly difficult situations. He is certainly missed. Sincerely, Daryl Reindl

    Marian Sutton
    20 Jan 2017
    10:30am

    Dee, Our prayers and condolences to you, Merynn, Micaela and your extended family on your loss. May your memories be pillows of comfort, joy and peace. Blessings.

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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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