James “Jim” Lesley Matthews age 77 passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of March 4, 2023 after complications from congestive heart failure. He was a proud fourth generation Texan born in El Paso to Horace and Vivian (Martin) Matthews on January 19, 1946.
He married Janet (Scanlon) Matthews – his wife of over 50 years – on August 14, 1971, and has resided in the greater Houston area ever since.
Jim is survived by his wife and younger brother: Martin Lee Matthews of Alvin, TX; along with his two married daughters: Colleen Elizabeth (Matthews) Petersen and husband Spencer of Richardson, TX and Allison Marie (Matthews) Stricklen and husband Nate of Austin, TX; and five grandchildren: Tristan James and Brody Maxwell Petersen; and Ainsley Elizabeth, Zeegan James and Lindley Marie Stricklen; and nephew James Robert Keegan. He is preceded in death by both his parents, his older sister Shirley Ann (Matthews) Keegan, and niece Elizabeth Kathleen Keegan.
Jim spent his formative years growing up in Alvin, TX. Following his Alvin high school graduation in 1964, he joined up with the United States Marine Corps and was stationed out of Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station on Oahu (it was during his time in Hawaii that he met Janet). He was honorably discharged in March of 1971, and then proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston (ultimately becoming an accountant).
Jim loved coaching his daughters’ varied sports teams, and was actively involved in St. Thomas More Parish athletics and Fondren Park girls’ softball. He also regularly volunteered to serve in St. Laurence Catholic Church of Sugar Land’s Usher and LEM ministries. His grandchildren will miss hearing him read bedtime stories.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd.,Sugar Land, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you instead consider a memorial donation to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org/donate), 10060 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77054.
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