Forest Hampton Mathews, beloved father, grandfather and friend, passed away on March 25, 2022, at the age of 98. He was born on August 1, 1923, in Traskwood, Arkansas to William. F. and Edna Mathews. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1942.
Forest was a veteran of World War II having served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corp in the South Pacific and occupied Japan. It was during his time at the University of Texas that he met his future wife, Marian Hazel Montogomery. They married on May 29, 1949. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1950 with a BBA degree then moved back to his hometown of Odessa.
Forest was a supervisor at the Headlee Devonian Unit for Getty/Texaco/Chevron Oil Company and retired October 31, 1985. He most recently was a Colonel in the Commemorative Air Force. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and for many years attended the First Baptist Church with his family. Forest was a gun enthusiast and enjoyed hunting. He loved being around people and never met a stranger.
Forest is survived by his two daughters, Julia Sorbers of Odessa and Celia Ray and husband Mark of Temple. “GrandForest” has six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
After 53 years of marriage, his wife Marian preceded him in death in 2002. He was also preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Edna and J.C. Barton, brother W.C. Mathews (World War II MIA), and son-in-law Jack Sorbers.
Mr. Mathews will lay in state for visitors Friday, April 1, 2022 from 8 am – 5 pm at Frank W. Wilson’s Funeral Directors. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 10 am in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson’s Funeral Directors. Burial with Military honors will follow in the Ector County Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankwwilson.com for the Mathews family.
