Steven Edward Matthew

Steven Edward Matthew passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 15, 2022, at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Newton, Kansas on July 24, 1949 to Rev. Glenn Edward and Helen Long Matthew.

After graduating from Salina High School in Salina, Kansas, he attended Southwestern College and received his BA Cum Laude in Philosophy & Religion. It was there that he met his future wife, Amy Annette Axtell. They married December 19, 1970 in Wichita, Kansas and celebrated their 51st anniversary on December 19, 2021.

After college graduation, they moved to Dallas, Texas for Steve to attend Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University where he obtained his Masters of Theology. He did his internship at Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC). In 1972, he was ordained as Deacon during the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church. However, Steve and Amy discovered that Texas had become home for them so he transferred to the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. From 1975-1980 he served as Associate Minister in Pastoral Care and preached in the Cox Chapel Worship Service of HPUMC. It was during this time that they had their daughter, Heather Michelle Matthew in 1978. In 1980 he was appointed to start a new church in Sunnyvale, Texas. He was the Founding and Senior Pastor of New Covenant United Methodist Church from 1980-1989. Their son, Jared Edward Matthew, was born in 1982. The family moved in 1989 to Grand Prairie, Texas for him to serve as Senior Pastor of Inglewood United Methodist Church. In 1996 he returned to Highland Park United Methodist Church and served as Executive Pastor until his retirement in 2012. In appreciation of his services he was honored by Carpenters for Christ with The House that Steve Built, which was the 81st Habitat for Humanity house sponsored by HPUMC Carpenters for Christ.

Throughout his ministry Steve served on numerous committees at the church, district and conference levels. He served on several Commissions and Boards including: Commission on Equitable Salary, Board of Church Extension, Board of Ministry and the Dallas South District Committee on Ministry. He was instrumental on the Candidacy Committee that mentored ministerial candidates through seminary in preparation of becoming ordained. Steve was compassionate and personally and professionally he offered support, pastoral wisdom, guidance, mentoring, and counseling to individuals. At home and at work, he was referred to by many as the ‘fix it’ person.

Steve is survived by his wife, Amy Axtell Matthew, daughter, Heather Michelle Matthew, his son, Jared Edward Matthew (Kathryn Norman), his sister, Jodi Matthew Ediger, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Glenn Edward and Helen Long Matthew, and a brother, Mark Edward Matthew.

A celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX, 3300 Mockingbird Lane on Friday April 29 at 10 AM. There will be a livestream of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Steve Matthew to: North Texas Food Bank, Carpenters for Christ (Habitat for Humanity) at Highland Park UMC, or Grand Prairie Animal Services.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandprairiefh.com for the Matthew family.