Bob Clifton Matheny

Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife of 69 years, Ora Gene Giddens Matheny; sons, Richard, Michael, Dennis, David, and John; ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Bob was born in the town of Clarks in E. Louisiana on December 2, 1923, where he learned to hunt, fish, and spend time in nature, things enjoyed all his life. He loved retelling the stories of his youth, and the adventures he had with his brothers, including losing a toe to a brother’s carelessness with an axe. When he was 15, he began working for the Civilian Conservation Corps, which prepared him for life in the military. Bob joined the Navy in 1941 and was stationed on the USS Nevada when Pearl Harbor was attached by the cowardly forces of Imperial Japan. Along with his older brother Bill, who was also stationed on the Nevada, he survived without so much as a scratch, which he attributed to the hand of God. Throughout the war, he participated in many battles as part of the crew on several ships, even witnessing the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. He loved to say he participated in the first battle of WWII and last.

Bob met the love of his life, Ora Gene Giddens, and they were married in E. Texas on October 21, 1945, and they remained devoted to each other until the end. After serving in the Navy for 15 years, Bob transferred to the US Air Force and served at Barksdale AFB until he retired in 1961.

He sold life insurance for 27 years, was a proud Rotarian, and served for many years as a Deacon at First Baptist Church of Bossier. Bob loved telling of his experience at Pearl Harbor, and was asked to speak about it at many area schools, civic groups, churches, nursing homes, and was interviewed for local newscasts virtually every year on December 7th. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him, and everyone who met him.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of Christus Highland, his personal caregivers, and a special thanks to his next door neighbor, Art Warfel, who shared his culinary talents generously.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home with interment following in Hill Crest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends following the graveside service.

Honorary pallbearers are Alex Ivins, Darin Fortenberry, Jody Eldred, Rick Rowe, Morris Inabnet and David Harrell.

Memorials may be made to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.

You may offer condolences and sign the on-line guest book by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.