Harold R. Mathews, 80, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M., Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at Arbor Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, with Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until the funeral hour at the church.
Mr. Mathews was born August 7, 1923, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late David H. and Carrie Brooks Mathews. They were one of the pioneer families of Fitzgerald. He lived in the community all of his life and was a Conductor for CSX Railroad, retiring in 1986. Mr. Mathews served in the Civilian Conservation Corp, serving in Oregon. He was a BM2/C, U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, where he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Independence Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and World War II Honorable Service Pin. He was a member of Arbor Baptist Church, the Young At Heart, AARP, and the United Trainmen Union. Mr. Mathews was an avid jogger, weight lifter and an unofficial coach for many young athletes. He was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed sitting on his porch, looking at the trees and flowers and listening to the birds and sounds of the trains passing by.
Mr. Mathews is survived by his wife: Montine M. Mathews, Fitzgerald; one son: Ramsey Mathews, Los Angeles, CA; one daughter and son-in-law: Janice and Dan Sykes, Lavonia, GA; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three half-sisters and one brother.