John Alton Matthews departed this earth on August 15, 2021 at age 83. He was born on March 22, 1938 in Long Beach, California to Alton and Grace Matthews.
He was also lucky to have had a wonderful stepmother in Geneva Ellison Gose Matthews who married Alton after his mother’s death. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty Jo Matthews, his sister Carole Whitmore (Gary) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, his daughter Kathleen Burney (Gerald) of Corpus Christi, Texas and his son John J. Matthews and 2 granddaughters Elora and Ava Matthews of Hobbs, New Mexico.
John got the reputation of being a jokester early while filling out school forms. John’s family moved to Silver City in the late 1940’s from Hurley, Wisconsin to Hurley, New Mexico and his mother’s maiden name was Matthews who married a Matthews! John spent his youth in Hurley exploring the New Mexico mountains and absorbing the history of the area.
He graduated from Cobre High in 1957 where he played football and wore jersey #43. He married the love of his life, Betty Jo Hartless, in July of 1958. He studied business at Western New Mexico University before joining Community Public Service in 1959. He began his career as a lineman’s helper and moved through the ranks as apprentice lineman, lineman, serviceman, customer service representative and ended his career as district manager of Texas New Mexico Power Company with 35 years of service. During his career, John served as a director of the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Southwest New Mexico Economic Development Council, the Grant County Energy Council, the Men’s Golf Association and the Community Concert Association.
John loved the outdoors, music, cars, motorcycles and golf. Most of all, he loved time spent with family. He and Betty Jo traveled frequently to Hawaii, took several cruises, visited the island of St. Lucia, camped at Turkey Creek and even went whitewater rafting. He taught his children the value of hard work, persistence and to do the right thing even when no one was looking.
He was intelligent, humorous and kind and he marched to the beat of his own drummer. This world is now missing a kind, honest, sweet and funny man, however; the heavens have another star shining brightly to remind us all to love one another and to always take the opportunity to do a good deed. Thanks Dad for all you taught us! A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory.
He was also lucky to have had a wonderful stepmother in Geneva Ellison Gose Matthews who married Alton after his mother’s death. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty Jo Matthews, his sister Carole Whitmore (Gary) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, his daughter Kathleen Burney (Gerald) of Corpus Christi, Texas and his son John J. Matthews and 2 granddaughters Elora and Ava Matthews of Hobbs, New Mexico.
John got the reputation of being a jokester early while filling out school forms. John’s family moved to Silver City in the late 1940’s from Hurley, Wisconsin to Hurley, New Mexico and his mother’s maiden name was Matthews who married a Matthews! John spent his youth in Hurley exploring the New Mexico mountains and absorbing the history of the area.
He graduated from Cobre High in 1957 where he played football and wore jersey #43. He married the love of his life, Betty Jo Hartless, in July of 1958. He studied business at Western New Mexico University before joining Community Public Service in 1959. He began his career as a lineman’s helper and moved through the ranks as apprentice lineman, lineman, serviceman, customer service representative and ended his career as district manager of Texas New Mexico Power Company with 35 years of service. During his career, John served as a director of the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Southwest New Mexico Economic Development Council, the Grant County Energy Council, the Men’s Golf Association and the Community Concert Association.
John loved the outdoors, music, cars, motorcycles and golf. Most of all, he loved time spent with family. He and Betty Jo traveled frequently to Hawaii, took several cruises, visited the island of St. Lucia, camped at Turkey Creek and even went whitewater rafting. He taught his children the value of hard work, persistence and to do the right thing even when no one was looking.
He was intelligent, humorous and kind and he marched to the beat of his own drummer. This world is now missing a kind, honest, sweet and funny man, however; the heavens have another star shining brightly to remind us all to love one another and to always take the opportunity to do a good deed. Thanks Dad for all you taught us! A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory.
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