Obituary for Edwin Thomas "Jeb" Matthias
Edwin Thomas "Jeb" Matthias passed away on September 11, 2018, in his home after an extended illness, at the age of 80 years.
Jeb was born June 12, 1938 in Dresher, Pennsylvania, the last of four children of Wilson Howard and Ruth Louise Matthias.
Jeb grew up on the family farm in Pennsylvania and had many adventures during his childhood and adolescent years. At the age of 13, he hitchhiked all across the United States one summer, starting out with $30 and a bedroll and working odd jobs to earn enough money for his grand tour, making many friends along the way. He kept in touch and visited many of them all through his adult life.
Jeb graduated from Upper Dublin High School in 1956 and joined the United States Air Force in 1957. He completed basic training in San Antonio, TX and was able obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland while serving his country in many locations, including South Carolina, Okinawa, Korea, New York, Georgia, Missouri, Australia and Oklahoma throughout his twenty-one years of active military service in addition to bravely serving during the Vietnam War. Following his retirement in 1978, Jeb worked as a truck driver all over the United States and Canada for over twenty years. This suited him well as he was born to enjoy traveling and his family joked he had "gypsy" blood running through his veins.
Jeb married Hiroko Ota in 1959 in Okinawa and they were blessed with three daughters and one son, all born in Okinawa. Jeb was preceded in death by his loving wife Hiroko, his sister Janet and brother Ben. He will forever be remembered by his children, Ruth Davis and husband Brian of Stillwater, OK, Mary Rogers and husband Jimmy of Altus, OK, Janet Asbill and husband Steve of Keller, TX, and Wilson Thomas Matthias of Mesquite, TX; six grandchildren, Samantha Davis, Christie Rogers, Brianna Peterson and husband Caleb, Chelsea Tapani, Aaron Rogers and wife Crystal, and Adriana Asbill; seven great grandchildren, Romelle, Alexis, Ryan, Oakleigh, Marlo, Braxton and Mikel; brother Wilson; honorary daughter Rhonda Guy, and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family and friends.
The family of Jeb would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Aspire Hospice nursing staff and personal caregivers Kelly Farquhar and Mary Jane Briggs for their help in making his last days as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, at the Altus Cemetery.
Memorial donations in memory of Jeb may be made to the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFW Post 4876, 500 North Veterans Drive, Altus, OK 73521.
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Jeb was born June 12, 1938 in Dresher, Pennsylvania, the last of four children of Wilson Howard and Ruth Louise Matthias.
Jeb grew up on the family farm in Pennsylvania and had many adventures during his childhood and adolescent years. At the age of 13, he hitchhiked all across the United States one summer, starting out with $30 and a bedroll and working odd jobs to earn enough money for his grand tour, making many friends along the way. He kept in touch and visited many of them all through his adult life.
Jeb graduated from Upper Dublin High School in 1956 and joined the United States Air Force in 1957. He completed basic training in San Antonio, TX and was able obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland while serving his country in many locations, including South Carolina, Okinawa, Korea, New York, Georgia, Missouri, Australia and Oklahoma throughout his twenty-one years of active military service in addition to bravely serving during the Vietnam War. Following his retirement in 1978, Jeb worked as a truck driver all over the United States and Canada for over twenty years. This suited him well as he was born to enjoy traveling and his family joked he had "gypsy" blood running through his veins.
Jeb married Hiroko Ota in 1959 in Okinawa and they were blessed with three daughters and one son, all born in Okinawa. Jeb was preceded in death by his loving wife Hiroko, his sister Janet and brother Ben. He will forever be remembered by his children, Ruth Davis and husband Brian of Stillwater, OK, Mary Rogers and husband Jimmy of Altus, OK, Janet Asbill and husband Steve of Keller, TX, and Wilson Thomas Matthias of Mesquite, TX; six grandchildren, Samantha Davis, Christie Rogers, Brianna Peterson and husband Caleb, Chelsea Tapani, Aaron Rogers and wife Crystal, and Adriana Asbill; seven great grandchildren, Romelle, Alexis, Ryan, Oakleigh, Marlo, Braxton and Mikel; brother Wilson; honorary daughter Rhonda Guy, and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family and friends.
The family of Jeb would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Aspire Hospice nursing staff and personal caregivers Kelly Farquhar and Mary Jane Briggs for their help in making his last days as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, at the Altus Cemetery.
Memorial donations in memory of Jeb may be made to the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFW Post 4876, 500 North Veterans Drive, Altus, OK 73521.
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