Gordon Douglas Matthews

Gordon won the battle against terminal illness last Wednesday November 12, 2014 when he held the hand of his loving wife Sibby and made his exit. Gordon was born February 7, 1941 in Gilmer, TX. to James Douglas Matthews and Mae Pauline Sitton Matthews.

After leaving east Texas as a child he was raised in the Houston Heights, a place he always proudly referred to as “home.” He attended John H. Reagan Senior High School and South Texas Law. His dedicated work ethic began at a young age with a paper route. His introduction to the food/cattle industry came at the age of 14 with his employment at Louis and Cocker Grocery where he held different positions throughout his teens before learning the butchering trade. In his early twenties he held a position in the accounting department of the Exxon Corporation before heading to Germany to serve his country in the United States Army. He excelled quickly and enjoyed his time in the armed forced gathering many memories that he loved to share. Upon his discharge he returned to the meat industry where he grew into a skilled butcher which led to him eventually becoming a head meat buyer for Fleming Foods. After his retirement in 1997 his profound sense of responsibility and dedication to his family were still as strong as ever. This led to his “retirement job” with Purnell Sausage Company. He did eventually give in to the idea of retirement (somewhat), returned to his east Texas roots and retreated to Jasper, TX where he and Sibby opened an antique and collectables store.

Gordon inherited a love of music and an amazing ability to dance from his mother, a passion he shared with his wife Sibby whom he married in 1973. He was an avid historian and seeker of knowledge, interests he passed on to his daughter Ramsie which led to many research adventures and several hours of documentary watching sessions together. He enjoyed reading especially non-fiction, law enforcement themed literature. His lifelong interest in all things law came from a deep rooted respect he carried for his father and great-grandfather, both having careers as successful law men, a path he would love to have followed had it not been for an injury to his “trigger finger.” He was very proud of the Special Texas Ranger Commission his father carried with the Railroad and his years as a detective. Gordon’s laugh was contagious and he loved to infect others with it. Though he was a great story teller he had a difficult time getting through a joke without laughing in anticipation of the punch line. Most of his story and joke telling was shared with his family which was always very obviously at the top of his list of favorite things.

Those greeting him last Wednesday were his parents, his daughter Danielle, and several other family members and friends. Awaiting their future reunions with him are his wife Sibby Langlinais Matthews, daughters Leigh Ann Smith, Ramsie Matthews, grandchildren McKinley Jumel, Kyle Smith, Blair Smith, and Raelyn Jumel, his sister Gabby Harris and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Gordon loved and was loved deeply. He was a wonderful Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Brother and will be greatly missed.