Thomas Jay Matthews of Allen, Texas passed away January 16, 2015 at the age of 83. He was born December 8, 1931 to Dero and Edith Pearl (Davidson) Matthews in Denison, Texas. Thomas served his country proudly in the United States Army from 1954-1956. He married Phyllis E. (Betty) Dodd on October 23, 1966 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Thomas worked for East Texas Motor Freight Lines for thirty-four years and Arkansas Best Freight Lines for two and half years. He was a member of Allen Masonic Lodge #1435 for fifty years. Thomas was a member of First United Methodist Church in Allen.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Matthews of Allen, Texas; children, Col. Robert H. Bruce (ret) and his wife Marion of Germany, Janet B. Stone of Allen, Texas, Chief John W. Bruce and wife Anita of Frisco, Texas, and Phyllis A. Markowski of Baltimore, Maryland; grandchildren, Capt. Katie Robertson and husband, Capt. Colin Robertson of Germany, Capt. Robin Bruce of Germany, Spc. Caren Wilcox of Dallas, Texas, Audrey Bruce of Lincoln, Nebraska, Amanda Markowski of Baltimore, Maryland, Kelly Bruce of Lincoln, Nebraska, T.J. Bruce of Frisco, Texas, Ted Markowski of Baltimore, Maryland and Sam Bruce of Frisco, Texas; great-grandson, August Bruce Robertson; sister, Jerry Densmore of Fort Worth, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Dero and Edith Davidson, brothers, Charles D. Matthews and Lee Roy Matthews, and sister, Rosalie Beck.
A memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m., Sunday, January 25, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas. A remembrance gathering will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Allen Masonic # 1435 Building Fund, 101 North Allen Drive, Allen, Texas 75013 and/or First United Methodist Church of Allen, Texas.
The family requests no perfumes or scents worn to the services.