John Mathis' Obituary
John Mathis, 85, of University Place, Washington, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
John was born in McCurtain County, Oklahoma on March 5, 1930, to Rand and Gladys Mathis and spent his childhood in Oklahoma, Arkansas and California. He joined the US Army in 1947, serving his country in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and obtained numerous commendations and medals throughout his military career. Upon his retirement from the military in 1967, John went on to pursue his education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1973 and a Masters Degree in Human Relations in 1976.
John married his wife Teresa Bryan in 1975, in Tacoma WA and they were blessed with two daughters, Sabrina Nichol and Julia Koren. The family settled in University Place in the early 1980s.
John had a long and productive career working for the US Department of Justice, starting as a Senior Case Manager with McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary and moving on to work for the Community Relations Service as a Conciliator-Mediator until his retirement in 1991. Throughout his career and personal life he worked diligently for social justice causes, particularly related to the needs of African-Americans, Native Americans and military veterans; he was also an avid history enthusiast with a special interest in World War II. John spent his retirement traveling with his wife and volunteering as a mentor with the Pierce County Veteran Drug Court. As a devout Christian, he believed in salvation through the Lord Jesus and was a member of the Orchard Street Church of Christ.
John leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Teresa, children Sabrina and Julia Mathis, his sisters Helen (J.W.) Davison, Ressie (Willie) Loving and brother LeRoy Hendrix, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He has gone to be with our Heavenly Father, joining his mother, father, step-father (Van Hendrix), sister Lillian Lee, brother Tony Mathis and numerous loved ones.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, 9:30 AM at the Orchard Street Church of Christ, 3601 S. Orchard Street, Fircrest, WA 98466. Interment will follow the services on Thursday at 12:30 PM at the Tahoma National Cemetery where full military honors will be presented. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. Remembrances may be shared online at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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