Mathews, Floyd Huxley

Floyd Huxley Mathews, 80, of Charlottesville VA, died July 18, 2016 in Williamsburg while visiting family. He was born February 20, 1936 in Aberdeen, SD, the son of Millicent Martin Mathews and Everett Russell Mathews.

Floyd is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Marilyn Butler Mathews; son, Paul Marshall Mathews of New York NY, son in-law Luciano Tapia and grandchildren Ian Barry Mathews of Palo Alto CA and Erik Krueger Mathews of NY; daughter, Mary Beth Hughes of Williamsburg VA, son-in-law Ken Hughes, and grandchildren Nathan Everett Hughes of Denver CO, Krista Lynn Hughes of Newport News VA and Noah Daniel Hughes; daughter, Sarah Ann Davis of Highlands Ranch CO, son in-law Ken Davis, and grandchildren Jacob Kenneth Davis of Golden CO and Andrew Kurtis and Cassandra Grace Davis. Also surviving Floyd are his two grandchildren Benjamin Alexander and Evelyn Grace Mathews of Medford NJ, children of Floyd’s deceased son, David Russell Mathews. Also surviving Floyd is his brother, Russell Mathews and wife, Sandy, of Las Cruces NM, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Floyd was predeceased by his parents, his youngest son, David of NJ in 2011 and his sister, Jane C. McCrum of WY, also in 2011. Floyd graduated from Los Alamos NM High School in 1954. He earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico in 1958. Floyd then matriculated at MIT where he earned an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering in February 1960. Floyd’s entire 37 year career was at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque NM, working in nuclear weapons testing, among other things. Floyd was a registered member of The Professional Engineers and a member of The Society of the Sigma Xi.

Floyd met Marilyn in early 1960; they were married that December. He and Marilyn raised their four children in Albuquerque, living there together for over forty years. With his family always coming first, Floyd passed on his love of camping, hiking and backpacking throughout New Mexico and Colorado, along with his joy of science, math and airplane modeling. Floyd’s wise and fatherly guidance, support and encouragement were a rock for all of us. His wit, infectious smile and sense of humor were bigger than life. Floyd’s corner of the world was always cheerier for having him in it.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge www.friendsofthebosque.org/

joinus.html and click through to single gift option or mail to P.O. Box 340, San Antonio NM 87832. Floyd and his family spent many happy hours in the quiet and beauty of this refuge.

A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016, 1:30 p.m., at The Colonnades Retirement Community, 2600 Barracks Road, Charlottesville VA. Interment of the cremated remains will take place prior to the service. Condolences may be shared online at www.hillandwood.com