Ira J. Matthews Jr.

Ira J. Matthews Jr., of Prairie Grove, Ark., passed away Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born July 11, 1927, in Shawnee, Okla., to Ira J. Matthews Sr. and Margaret Tynes Matthews.

He liked to say he spent most of his life “in the service.” That was because he was in the military 24 years and served in leadership roles in several churches for many more. His comment about the military was always the same: Give the country no less than you give your family, because you wouldn’t have peace in either one without the other. He was a devout Christian and surrounded himself and his family with others who respected the Bible and its teachings. In his middle age and to his kids’ great surprise, he mellowed a bit and continued his education in life lessons, politics, and grudging acceptance of teams not named Razorbacks. He was an outdoorsman who learned to fish in the Cossatot River, hunted in the woods of Polk County, and never took even one more than his legal limit of any kind of game. In his 70s, he cut, raked and square-baled hay across much of Washington County.

He fought in the Korean War and spent a year in Thailand during the Vietnam War, but was heard talking about either experience other than to say he wasn’t going to talk about it. There are early memories of saluting the flag with him he knew how to and never forgot.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Lanore, in 1997; and a daughter, Donna.

He is survived by two sons, Duane and Dennis, and one daughter, Diann, as well as their spouses. His loving wife, Irene, also survives and has been his rock these last 20 years. He is also survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. before Dad, but he will be buried near both.

Our thanks to so many who visited him, brought food and kindness, and lightened the burden on Irene through the last months. In lieu of flowers, please remember the Meals on Wheels program at the Prairie Grove Senior Activity Center, 475 Ed Staggs Drive, Prairie Grove, AR 72753, and his beloved second family at the Prairie Grove Church of Christ, 309 East Parks St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753.

A Funeral Service was held Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Prairie Grove Church of Christ under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville with burial near Lanore and Donna.

To place an online tribute, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.