Harold Mathis "Papa Mathis", 86, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2013. Harold was born Sept. 23, 1926, to Tom and Opal Mathis in Lohn, Texas. Harold grew up in Coleman, Texas, Harold joined the Navy in 1944, and served aboard the USS Sanborne. Harold worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and retired after 40 years of service. He served on the board of the KCM&O Santa Fe R.R. Museum and loved giving tours and talking railroad. He loved his Church (Grape Creek Baptist) and served in various capacities. He was honored to be ordained as a deacon in 1972. Harold loved working in his workshop and made many sets of dominoes and other items for family and friends. He so loved his 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Harold is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Jimmie Ann Mathis; his sons, Craig Mathis (Phyliss) of Mexia, Texas, Randal Wright (FayAnn) of Miles, Texas and Roger Wright (Linda) of Sugar Land, Texas; daughter Nancy Wright Arnold (Freddy) of Goldthwaite, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; very special family Steve and Nancy, Brian and Colby Grafa; sister Glenda Bell (George) of Wheelock, Texas; brother-in-law Gene Davis of Ballinger and Berna Dene Mathis of Austin, Texas; also a host of nieces and nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty Jo Harris Mathis; daughter Ann Mathis Harp; brother Dale Mathis; and sisters Theresa Ketchum and Mary Davis. Visitation will be all day Sunday, March 10, 2013, with family present from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013, at Grape Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Brad Winchester officiating. Burial will follow in Grape Creek Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Grape Creek. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Grape Creek Baptist Church, Interim Care Hospice or Railway Museum of San Angelo. Harold will always be lovingly remembered as the "Candy Man" as he always had a pocket full of peppermints to share with all.
Published in GoSanAngelo from March 10 to March 12, 2013