Randall Mattes

Randall Bruce Mattes, 68, of New Bern, NC passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. Randy was born on October 21, 1953 in Council Bluffs, IA to Wilbur Mattes and Edith Thomas Mattes. Randy graduated from Shenandoah High School in Shenandoah, IA in 1972. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and after basics he was stationed in Hawaii. He was married briefly and had a son Randy, Jr. who was stillborn. They divorced and Randy’s love for the ocean kept him there until about 1980, when he returned to Shenandoah, IA. There he worked with his father and brother learning to operate a bulldozer for Mattes Construction. In 1983 he married Shelia Schoen and together they had a son, Jesse. Shelia had 3 children, Tracy, Billy and Katie, that Randy cared for as his own. After their divorce a few years later, he got his CDL license and became a truck driver. He moved to Beaumont, TX in 1987. In 2006 he then moved to Crystal Beach, TX where he worked with a construction group and also drew up blue prints. He survived Hurricane Ike in 2008 and helped with the cleanup afterwards and the rebuilding. He had many friends there and loved hanging out with them at the local “Tiki” bar. In 2017, Randy moved to New Bern. NC to live with his long time friend, Kelly Clark. Kelly’s family (Larry & Crystal Clark) adopted Randy as part of their own family and checked on him often. Despite the regular hospital visits and eventually hospital stays and hospice care, Randy still smiled and laughed through it. He kept his sense of humor through all of his trials and hid how bad his health really was. He loved life and it showed.

In high school he played the saxophone in band. He enjoyed car racing and riding his motorcycle. Later in life he enjoyed putting model cars together. He had a large collection of them.

Randy is survived by his son Jesse Mattes (Greeley, CO), his grandson Brody Mattes (Shenandoah, IA), step-grandchildren Katelyn Lewis and Bastian Lewis (Shenandoah, IA), a brother Jim Mattes (Branson, MO), brother Bob (Bonnie) Mattes (Ozark, MO), sister Brenda (Dave) Wendt (Logan, IA) and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son Randy, Jr., father Wilbur, mother Edith, sister Phyllis Bachman, and sister Janice Pullen.

We would like to express our thanks and appreciation of the hospice group at the Carolina East Medical Center. A special thank you to the nurses and his doctor who were so caring and attentive and always asked if there was anything they could do for us.

Private services with interment at the Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Cancer research or the Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern, NC.