Ray Winn Mathews

In Memory of Ray Winn Mathews.
Providence—Ray W . Mathews age 91 passed away peacefully on the night of April 4, 2009, surrounded by family at the Logan Regional Hospital. Ray had suffered a brief illness after living alone in his home being supported by his loving family. He had lost his vision and was hard of hearing but his mind and memory never failed.
Ray was born in Providence, Utah on June 10th, 1917 the 4th of 5 children.
He married and was sealed to June Jenks on Dec 2, 1938 in the Logan LDS Temple after a brief courtship. They made their home in Providence where he continued to live for 71 years. June his wife of almost 68 years passed away just over 2 years ago. He lived his whole life in Providence and had a vivid recall of his 91 years of experiences that he shared with anyone willing to spend a few minutes with him.
Ray worked hard his whole life, in a variety of occupations. One of his passions was raising his calves to sell at the auction. For many years he would make the weekly trip to Smithfield Utah to the sell his steers and buy some calves to continue the process. He farmed, raised chickens, and rabbits and worked tiredly in his garden with his wife June. He worked for 27 years with brick layers in the area to earn a pension from his union. We have learned through his own words many stories detailing his work in the mountains around Logan. He logged the wood for his home and the chicken coops which he built. Not only did he work in the mountains, he played there also. He loved to ride his horse and walk in the mountains above Providence Utah. His passion for hunting was appreciated by all who know him.
We all delighted in sharing his sense of humor. As recently as one year ago he played April fool’s jokes on many family and friends, though he could not see, his special phone allowed him access to us all.
He was one of the Jazz basketball team’s biggest fans and listened to all the games he could. Finally a few years ago he was able to attend one of the games.
Ray served as a ward hometeacher and helped with ward service projects like the sauerkraut canning and ward bazaar dinner.
He would always serve his neighbors and widow friends by helping in their gardens, scraping snow and always helping in his silent way.
All those who knew him loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife June Jenks, his parents Eugene Denton Mathews and Adaline Margaret Theurer, his brothers Conan and Keith, and his sisters Doris and Radah.
He is survived by his daughter Jolene (J Dean) Shaffer of Providence, Utah, his son Devon R (Diane) Mathews, of Wellsville, Utah, and his daughter, Debbie (Todd A.) Brown of Hyde Park, Utah, 13 grandchildren, 30 great- grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be extended to the family at www.allenmorturaries.net
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on April 8th in the Providence 2nd ward Chapel at 309 South Main Street, Providence, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Allen-Hall Mortuary at 34 East Center St. Logan, Utah and at the Providence 2nd Ward Chapel from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. He will be interred at the Providence City Cemetery.