August 12, 1943 - April 14, 2017
MATTHEWS, Neil Richard (Dick) Neil R. Matthews was born on August 12, 1943 in Bremerton, WA and passed away on April 14, 2017 in Mesa, AZ with his loving family beside him. He is survived by the Love of his Life, Joyce Matthews; two sons, USAF MSgt. Ret. Gregory Matthews of Norman, OK and Patrick Matthews of Chandler, AZ; two daughters, Shelly (Hal) Hagen of Loveland, CO and Lisa (Derek) Durgain of Windsor, CO. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Jashell Anderson, Alicia Anderson and Daryian Durgain; two great grandchildren, Alex and Zoe all of Colorado; two sisters-in-law; Dorothy Gallaway of Spokane Valley and Pamela (Randy) Pitts of Cheney, WA as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Dorothy (Dohney) Matthews; niece, Denise Curtis and sadly the recent passing of his dear sister, Jean Matthews this June 1, 2018. - After graduating from Central Catholic High School of Great Falls, MT in 1961 Neil moved to Seattle, WA where he worked for the US Postal Service until finishing his schooling and becoming a Design Draftsman for The Military Department of Pacific Car & Foundary in Renton, WA. There he designed a “gun mount” for a British Cannon of which he packed up along with his family to take to Killeen, TX for necessary testing for the British Military. - Once he returned from Texas he proudly became a General Contractor where he designed and built many homes in the Bellevue, WA area. Once the business took off, he moved his family to Missoula, MT and continued his passion for building. Later his resume’ would include moving to Billings, MT and becoming a manager for the 2M Company in their new Denver, CO branch until his retirement in 2006. In 2008, he decided to move to Spokane, WA to be closer to his sister and his wife’s family; then in 2010 when Joyce retired they packed their belongings and headed to Arizona in 2016 where they would take up permanent residence. - Neil certainly Loved Life! Watching baseball games; spending precious time with his family, golfing (in his early days), bicycling and exploring most of the Colorado trails and traveling all over the world. He sure had a desire to go somewhere where he’d never been. - Anyone who had the pleasure to be his friend enjoyed his smile and sense of humor no matter where his journey took him; those joys will last in our hearts and memories forever. - There will be an Celebration of Life @ Arbor Grove in Spokane Valley on Saturday June 23rd – 11:30 a.m. with reception to follow. The inurnment will be a private family gathering.
