James Malcolm Matthews

He was born in Hawthorne, California, on June 3, 1926, to James Garnet Smith and Erma Mabel Rulon. After divorce, Jim was legally adopted by Graig Matthews.

His early life was spent in Los Angeles, and he often spoke of riding the trolley to school and to the beach on weekends.

Jim graduated from Ventura High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his entire duty on the Island of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. He often spoke of the island’s beauty, with water so clear and fish so beautiful. While there he purchased a small sail boat and was taught to sail by an old and seasoned sailor from the mainland. He never forgot his love of sailing.

He married Lou Melva Avants, in Carpinteria on July 31, 1948.

After discharge from the U.S. Navy, Jim attended Ventura College and went to work for the County Parks Department, retiring after 34 years as supervisor of the regional parks. When problems arose, as they occasionally did, especially along the Rincon Beach parks, Jim seemed to take pleasure in bringing people together, often with wit and humor.

Following retirement, he built a house at Nacimiento Lake, located above Paso Robles. The family swam and boated in the summer and enjoyed quite evening by the fire in winters.

Jim was a founding member of the local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and served a term as president.

On the day Kennedy was shot, Jim attended a service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; and the family never left it. He loved ballroom dancing and singing, especially at church and in the shower.

Jim is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lou; son and daughter-in-law, Bart and Rachel Matthews; grandsons, Beau, Jake and Travis; and half-brother, Raymond Smith. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark in 2013.

The family would like to acknowledge with gratitude the help they received from Assisted Home Hospice; particularly, nurse Stephen, Juanita and others.

Services for Jim will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, 10:00 am, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3290 Loma Vista Road, in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Ventura County, P.O. Box 1613, Camarillo, CA 93011-1613.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.