Virgil James Mathews Jr.

Virgil James Mathews, Jr., passed away January 9, 2012, in Chandler, Arizona. He was born November 24, 1919, in Porum, Oklahoma, to Virgil J. Mathews, Sr., and Willie Redman Mathews. He served in World War II in the Army Air Corp and received a Distinguished Flying Cross. Following a career in banking and real estate in Colorado, he traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Israel. In 1996 he visited Arizona, fell in love with the country and the people and relocated to Tempe. Always active, he enjoyed friends, family, church, camping, snow skiing and dancing. He is survived by his son, Jim, his two daughters, Barbara and Mary, also 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:30 am at the Arizona Community Church, 9325 South Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284. Graveside service will follow at 12:30 pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85024. There will be a reception to follow back at the Arizona Community Church, room G-5, 9325 South Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Virgil's name to the Arizona Community Church, 9325 South Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284.