Thomas Edward Matthews, 85, of Van, TX died on July 23 in Grand Saline.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents John B and Goldie Noland Matthews of Moundsville, WV and by his step-mother Catheryn Payne Matthews of Mena, Arkansas and San Antonio.  He was also preceded in death by his brother Bob Matthews, his sister Mary Goodrich and by his two daughters, Brenda Yvonne Matthews and Karen Elizabeth Beard.  Survivors are wife Alice, son Alan, grandchildren Emily Yvonne and John Thomas Beard and their dad, David; brother Charles Norman Matthews and step-brother Neill Ray Glenn.  Also surviving are cousin Robert Lee Noland, sister-in-law Lila Nation and brother-in-law Van Nation and his wife, Betty.

Tom was a graduate of Brackenridge High School, San Antonio, where he was in ROTC and Purple Guard.  He attended San Antonio College and held bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial technology from Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos.  He was employed for 31 years by Dallas ISD, teaching courses in drafting, woodworking and photography.  He is remembered by his colleagues for his carpentry skills and his classroom management.  During his tenure with DISD, Tom also drove a school bus and taught lapidary work at Seagoville State Prison.  In later years, he taught evening adult coursework in cabinet making and in powder puff mechanics at Skyline High School, Dallas.  Following retirement from his career in education, he became an optician with Sears in Town East Mall, Mesquite, and other optical shops in the area.

Tom was a Christian gentleman devoted to his family.  His church memberships through the years have been with Faith Baptist and Westminster Presbyterian in San Antonio, Plymouth Park Baptist in Irving and Shiloh Terrace Baptist in Dallas.  He was on the board of trustees at Van United Methodist Church and also served on the board of trustees with Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Association in Sunnyvale.

Among his favorite things were coffee, enchiladas, TV documentaries, reading, nature, family camping trips and working with wood.  A master fix-it guy, he left his mark in carpentry in several churches, as well as with friends and family.

His entire life exemplified the Scout Law:  reverent, brave, kind, courteous, trustworthy, clean, thrifty, loyal, friendly, helpful, cheerful and obedient.  He and several members of his Scout troop in San Antonio have remained faithful friends for decades.

A brief informal memorial service, followed by the Scout salute, will be conducted graveside at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 1, 2025 at Twin Lakes Memorial Park, formerly Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Sunnyvale.

The family wishes to convey appreciation for prayers and for expressions of kindness received in recent months.
In tribute to Tom's life, please do a good turn daily.