Dennis Ralph Mathews

Dennis Ralph Mathews
Dennis Ralph Mathews passed away on August 11, 2013 at the age of 77.
Dennis Ralph Mathews was born in Logan, Utah to Grant Leon Mathews and Anna Malmberg Mathews on July 31, 1936. He was the second child of six, 4 boys and 2 girls. He was raised in Providence and attended Providence Elementary and South Cache High School. He had the distinction of not graduating academically, but being socially promoted. He was involved in playing sports including basketball, football and track. He loved fast cars and fast horses and he especially loved his
horse, Big Jack.
During high school he joined the Army Reserve, and after high school he went on active duty. He was assigned to the Army Security Agency and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1959, and that same year received a mission calion Christmas Eve to the Brazilian South Mission for 2 1/2 years. He learned to love the Brazilian people and their beautiful language. Shortly after he returned from the mission field, while tracting at the girl's dorms of Utah State University, he met a stunning girl named Katie Ruth Bell. They were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple for time and all eternity on June 25, 1963.
He served in many callings in the church: Scouting, Youth Sunday School Teacher, Elders Quorum President twice, High Council in 3 different stakes, Temple Worker in Logan LDS Temple and Bishop. The calling he loved the best was as the Bishop in the USU 35th Singles Ward.
He grew up on a farm where he learned enough about hard work to know that he didn't want to be a farmer and so he went to law school. He completed his pre-law studies at Utah State University. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.
He was on scholarship and the editor of the Law School Publication. He was the Clerk of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. He was a member of the California and Utah Bar. He practiced law in California for 3 years and in Logan, UT for over 40 years.
He built the family home in Millville, UT. The home was a place of many happy family gatherings and students from the University Ward. Dennis and Katie loved serving a proselyting mission together in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission in 2010-2011.
He lived a life full of faith and hard work. He was an example of service and love to his family, friends, and associates. He loved all of those he labored with and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dennis and Katie celebrated a wonderful 50 years together with 7 marvelous children and 26 beloved grandchildren and fantastic family, friends, and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife Katie Ruth Bell Mathews, his children and grandchildren: Dr. Shawn(Kathy) Phoenix, AZ; Daniel(Cynthia) Millville,UT, 7 Children: Christina, Jessica, Brian, Mikayla, Carissa, Brandon, Braden; Rachel(Paul) Schvaneveldt North Ogden, UT, 6 Children: Laura, Rebekah(deceased), Jacob, Joseph, Elisabeth, Ashley; Edithanne(Steven) Evans Hyde Park, UT, 4 Children: Mathew, Jeffrey, Ethan, Elsa; Lt. Commander (Dr.) James(Jenny) North Logan, Ut, 4 Children: Dillon, Charlie, Annabelle, Leo; Emma-Lee(Ryan) Cook Milwaukee, WI, 3 Children: Abigail, Jayce, Macy; Theo(Charity) Logan,UT, I Child: Hope,and his siblings, Grant(Peggy) North
Logan, UT, Lynn(Tama) Hyrum,UT, and Hilda(Blaine) McBride Bountiful,UT.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dean Mathews, his sister Jenny Fishbaugh, and granddaughter Rebekah Anne Schvaneveldt.
The family would like to thank Steven Evans and Access Hospice for their loving tender care.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, August 17, 11 :00 a.m. at the Millville church, 110 South Main, Millville. A viewing will be on Friday, August 16, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan and at the Church on Saturday from 9:00-10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral services. Burial will be in the Millville Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net