Samuel Edward Mathis Jr.

Samuel Edward Mathis, Jr., follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, devoted husband, involved and present father, dedicated professional and a committed community leader, after 57 years, completed his life’s journey in Danbury, CT, on Monday, May 7, 2012. Visitation for Samuel Mathis will take place at Green Funeral Home in Danbury, CT on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm with a Celebration of Life Service on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 11:00am at Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel, CT.

The son of Edmonia Elliott Mathis and Samuel Edward Mathis, Sr., he was born in Tulsa, OK. He is preceded in death by his parents and he is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jacinta Marie Tanner Mathis and their two wonderful children: his daughter, Jacinta Camille Mathis Bowman and her husband Bryan J. Bowman, and his son, Elliott Samuel Mathis. In addition, he is survived by his siblings: Natacha Conley Smith of Plano, Texas, Michael Conley of Tulsa, OK, Joycelyn Cooper Brown and her husband Richard Brown of Oklahoma City, OK and their son Malachi Brown of Washington DC, and Edmonia Mathis Lee, of Denver, CO. He is also survived by numerous loving family members.

Sam graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS with a BS in Architecture, Design; earned an Masters in Business Administration from Rollins College – Crummer Graduate School of Business in Orlando, Florida and at Harvard University in Boston, MA he completed work in Business as a Design Strategy at Graduate School of Design. Sam was a devoted and committed Christian and served as an Elder for Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT. Sam made an enormous and lasting impact on the lives of everyone he touched, both in his professional and personal lives.

Sam was Director of Global Diversity Management and Equality at Praxair, Inc., leading efforts in the United States, Belgium, Spain, Shanghai, Brazil, Mexico and other areas around the world. Sam has successfully managed cultural transformation and internal processes so that the most talented people are attracted, developed and retained for aggressive global growth companies. Comfortable but challenging relationships have been established with top executives for efforts in regions around the world to overcome cultural barriers to advance effective leadership, productivity and market penetration. Sam is known for introducing approaches to diversity and inclusion that are not only the hallmark of external awards and trophies but are very effective; aligning change with core business objectives in a fashion that acknowledges a successful corporate culture. Sam worked to build bridges of understanding and effective relationships for maximum productivity.

Sam was a prayer partner, devoted husband, committed and devoted father, an aspiring classical guitarist, and an avid reader. Whether he was interceding in prayer, coaching soccer, on the sidelines at volleyball games, mentoring, encouraging his family and friends to succeed, Sam was dedicated to a better life experience for all. Over the years Sam served as a mentor, member or supporter for many organizations. After receiving a full undergraduate scholarship, Sam focused on supporting college bound students. To continue Sam’s efforts, the non-profit, Educational Development Fund, Inc., has been established at Webster Bank in Bethel, CT.

Many will greatly miss him but all should be joyous that Samuel Edward Mathis Jr. lived his life well and he is now with Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord.