G J Matthews

G J Matthews, 90, of Abilene died Thursday, May 30, 2013, at an Abilene medical center. Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in Oakwood Cemetery in Comanche, Texas with Rev. David Hargrave of Brookhollow Christian Church, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. G J was born May 25, 1923, in Gustine, Texas to George Jackson and Otis Dee Hayes Matthews. He graduated from Beattie High School in 1940. He joined the U. S. Marine Corps and served aboard the USS Belleauwood in the Pacific Theater (1944-1945) and served in seven major battles including Iwo Jima and was among the first Marines to occupy Japan. After the war, he married Christine Godfrey on December 2, 1945. After farming several years, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Patrolman, serving in Brady, Victoria, San Angelo, Waco and Abilene, retiring as captain in the Region 4 District Office in Abilene in 1988. He was a member of Brookhollow Christian Church. G J and Christine were married for 60 years and had three daughters, Gaye, Sue and Joy. G J was predeceased by his wife, Christine; his daughter Joy Matthews; an infant grandson John Edward Harwell; his parents; and three sisters Alice Jones, Georgia Jones and Lillian Conklin; and a son-in-law Lt. Edward Earl Harson. G J is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Gaye and Terry Harwell and Sue and Doug Drumheller; five grandchildren, Andy Drumheller of Houston, David Harwell of Lewisville, Matt Drumheller of Amarillo, Cynthia Grizzle of Humble and Stephen Harwell of Spring; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to Brookhollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis, Abilene, TX 79605, or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601.