Winston Carlyle Matthews

With his wife of 77 years at his side, Winston Carlyle Matthews died peacefully at his home in Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona following a lengthy illness on Sunday afternoon, September 1, 2013. He was 95 years old. Winston was born on November 15, 1917 in Byars, McClain County, Oklahoma to his parents, the late Gregg and Myrtle (Fletcher) Matthews. At the age of 18, Winston married his wife, the former Lenora Loftin on January 5, 1936 in Magic Springs, Arkansas when she was 14 years old. Throughout their long and happy marriage, Winston provided comfortably for his family and taught his children, by example, the value of hard work. The couple moved to Arizona in November of 1936 and made their home in Winslow for five years, working in a bakery. In 1941, they moved to Nevada where Winston began work for Blue Diamond Gypsum. He worked with them until 1945. In the 1950's Winston and his family lived in Phoenix's Valley of The Sun. He worked for several years as a cotton farmer in Mesa and was actually the first farmer, ever, to make 2 bales of cotton per acre. In 1954, Winston began a long and successful career with National Gypsum and, after 28 years of dedicated and faithful service, he retired as one of its supervisors in 1982. It was during this time of his life that Winston became a self-taught pilot. After obtaining his pilot's license, he bought his own plane and flew regularly from Falcon Field in east Mesa to Winkleman where National Gypsum had a quarry. Winston loved flying and flew countless hours with his family and friends. Never one to be idle, Winston and Lorena moved back to his native roots in Oklahoma in his late 70's, several years after his retirement, to be cattle ranchers. Wherever Winston worked, he gave it his all. Many will remember him for his honesty, integrity and incredible work ethic. He has lived in the White Mountains for many years, making his home in Lakeside. He always found an enjoyable way to pass his time. Winston was known to be and avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing at any one of his favorite fishing holes and hunting in the forests of the area. He, too, loved to watch the leaves change colors during the different seasons with his wife, as he always appreciated the beauty of the world in which he lived. This gentle giant of a man will be forever remembered as a family man who would do anything to help a friend in need. He will be greatly missed. Winston is survived by his wife: Lenora Matthews of Lakeside, Arizona; 5 children: Alice Howard of Lakeside, Arizona, Tina (Forest) Akins of Chandler, Arizona, Winston (Dawn) Matthews of Cholla Bay, Mexico, Ronnie (Louise) Matthews of Chandler, Arizona, Robert Matthews of Stockton, California; 11 grandchildren: Dennis Matthews of Kingman, Arizona, Sheilah Folsom of Lewiston, Idaho, Candy Howard of Lakeside, Arizona, Victor (Kathy) Matthews of Waverly, Iowa, Jonathon (Simone) Matthews of Apache Junction, Arizona, Jaime (Ethan) Warren of Salem, Ohio, Andrew (Kelly) Tyler of Mesa, Arizona, Joshua (Lisa) Matthews of Portsmouth, Virginia, Layne (Pam) Matthews of Florida, Kurt (Meghan) Matthews of Gilberts, Arizona, Gary Tyler of Las Vegas, Nevada; 45 great-grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Marvin (Sylvia) Matthews of Pierce, Idaho and by 1 sister, Johnnie Belle Peacock of Avondale, Arizona. Along with his parents, Winston was preceded in death by 2 sons: Donald Eugene Matthews, Winston Gene Matthews; 3 brothers: Clinton Matthews, Cleborne Matthews, Bobby Guy Matthews and 1 sister, Anna Lou Levengood. The visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, September 6, 2013 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Clay Stidham and will begin 2:00 P.M., Saturday, September 7, 2013, also at Owens Livingston Mortuary and the interment and committal service will immediately follow at the Lakeside Cemetery in Lakeside, Arizona.