C. Gordon Matthews

WWII Staff Sergeant Charles Gordon Matthews passed away on March 31st 2018 at the grand old age of 98.

Gordon was preceded by the love of his life, Lila Marguerite Matthews, mother of their 7 children: Larry, Richard, John Henry, Thomas, Marsha, Cheryl & Bill along with his (4) daughter in laws: Nancy, Barbara, MaryAnn & Julie and his son in law Doug. Gordon has left behind an amazing legacy for an only child. He is a grandfather to 19 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren which includes Connor Steele Matthews who bares the family name (5 generations).

He was fondly known as “Gordy” to his family and friends. He was born to Harry and Marguerite Matthews in Grafton, Ohio in 1919. Gordy was a graduate of Chatham High School and attended Oberlin Business College where he met Lila. He served in the Army Air Corp. from 1941 to 1945 as a Staff Sergeant, Stationed at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas. Gordon & Lila tied the knot in Wellington, Ohio in 1943. They celebrated their 1st Anniversary by bringing their first born into the world, Larry Gordon Matthews and Richard Dean Matthews shortly followed, both born in San Antonio, TX. After WWII, Gordy and Lila returned to Chatham, OH. Gordon worked in Data Processing for Ohio Farmers--Westfield Insurance Company until retiring and moving to St. Cloud, Florida in 1973. As a longtime member and choir tenor at First United Methodist Church, he was loved by many and will be remembered for his beautiful voice, service to his community and his true love for antique cars. Gordon enjoyed helping others and had a gift of being able to fix just about anything.

Gordon had two great loves: His Family and Classic Desoto Automobiles (Well technically 4 if you count his fondness for McDonald’s and ice cream). Perhaps that love for ice cream is what led him, Lila and his mother to open a “Dairy Isle” in Grafton, OH. It was like ice cream heaven and Gordon enjoyed every minute of it.

The Matthews Family will receive friends for his viewing on Friday, April 6th from 5:00pm to 7pm at Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL. His funeral will take place Saturday, April 7th at 3pm at Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home, 511 Emmett St., Kissimmee, FL and will be immediately followed with a Graveside Burial service with Military Honors at Mt. Peace Cemetery, 775 E 10th St, St Cloud, FL 34769.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested consideration of donations to Cornerstone Hospice of Osceola County.
 

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