Paul William Mathews

September 22, 1969 - May 29, 2025

Paul William Mathews was born on September 22, 1969 to Paul Stewart Mathews and Debra Arlene Jahn in Terre Haute, IN. A precocious child, Paul always excelled in school. According to his mother, Paul was excited to go to Kindergarten because he thought he would learn to read on day one. Getting home after that first day, he was furious because they “didn’t learn how to read today!” Despite this initial setback for him, Paul learned quickly and shot to the top of the class, reading aloud to his classmates regularly.

Paul was extremely athletic and played sports from the time he was a child through high school and even beyond. Pop Warner football, baseball, wrestling- Paul did it all with the encouragement and often coaching of his dad at hand. As a small child Paul had a love of animals. His mother being an animal warden afforded him a chance to engage with many odd and exotic animals such as skunks, giant birds of prey, and flying squirrels. He even helped deliver a litter of puppies! Paul never lost his love and care of animals throughout his life.

Paul’s best friend was undoubtedly his dad, Paul Stewart. The two were extremely close and took many incredible trips together with his baby brother, Chris, where they would camp, hike, and snorkel. Most of his favorite memories to share had his dad as the main character. One of their favorite past-times was going to the movies. Paul tells this story in his own words:

“Movies! Movies! Movies!! When I was young there wasn’t “Binge” watching or really Anything exciting on TV. So going to a movie was THE big deal. My best memories with my father were always going to movies. Letting our imaginations run away with Science Fiction or fantasy. If we went to the Drive-IN it was an event! Two maybe three movies with maybe a mini cartoon or two thrown in. It all started with the preparation. Cooking huge quantities of popcorn in my great grandmothers huge Hungarian pot. Pop it full and dump it in a grocery paper bag. Butter & Salt & shake it! Bring blankets, sleeping bags for sitting outside, or on the car roof. When I was smaller and car roofs were made stronger lol. Cooler full of pop (soda) and ice, candy. Still yet we would go to the concession stand and grab some deep fried item or two. Speakers hang in the windows in the old days….turned into a radio station later. Then they started disappearing..made me sad….But movies kept getting better!”

After graduating high school Paul went on to receive a degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University and shortly after enlisted in the Army following the sudden death of his beloved father. He served in South Korea in Military Intelligence. After leaving the military with an Honorable Discharge in order to care for his grandmother, Enola, Paul worked endlessly to find his calling. He had many interesting jobs during this time in his life. He owned and operated a comic book store with his best friend, Rick, worked with children in a juvenile detention center, worked as a police officer, and worked at US Steel. He also earned a certificate of Public Management.

In fall of 2000, Paul met the love of his life, Alicia. After just a few short months, the two were married on April 15th, 2001, and Paul gained two daughters, Brooke and Jazmine. From day one, Paul (who quickly became known as “Pabs”) was an attentive, enthusiastic, and wonderful father. He threw himself into the role completely immersing himself in the lives of his daughters. Paul forever changed the trajectory of the lives of Alicia, Brooke, and Jazmine.

Paul started his professional career as a Director of Health Information Management in 2004. As a manager, he was known for the care and compassion he showed his employees at each and every hospital he worked for, fighting tirelessly for their higher pay, better work/life balance, and for better overall working conditions. Paul was the rock for all the employees who worked for him and he was always proud to do his best for them.

Living in some of the country’s most beautiful places was one of Paul’s life goals- and he certainly accomplished it. He lived in Phoenix, Arizona, Redwood City, California, Portland, Oregon, Yuma, Arizona, and finally Sun Lakes, Arizona. Paul loved both the vivid green of Oregon as well as the stunning deserts of Arizona.

Paul had many joys in life, but none were greater than his grandchildren; Lillian and Luken. Lillian and Luken’s “Papa” gave his grandkids every bit of himself. He could always be seen playing on the floor with them, making up funny games to play together, making memories creating endless inside jokes that they will forever remember and quote. He was always and will always be their joy-filled, endlessly funny, loving Papa.

Paul “Papa” “Pabs” Mathews loved his family, movies, games, football, space, and physics. Despite battling the debilitating disease of Multiple sclerosis for 16 years, Paul persevered and spent that time traveling to the Grand Canyon, the Meteor Crater, Multnomah Falls, Mt Hood, and Disney World. He traveled often to Texas to see his daughter and grandchildren, could be seen at many ball games in the valley, attended parties with his best friends, Rick and Denise, and would never miss the premier of a good movie.

Paul loved life. He lived it to the fullest. His sudden loss leaves a giant hole in his family, but the love he poured into them will live on. His investment into his daughters has changed the family tree forever.

Paul passed from this world on May 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Enola and Ernest Mathews, and his father, Paul Stewart Mathews. He is survived by his wife, Alicia Mathews, daughter Brooke Allendorf and her husband John, his grandchildren, Lillian and Luken Allendorf, daughter Jazmine Chavez and her fiancé Kurt Brown, mother Debra Waggle and her husband Bill, brother Chris Mathews, nephew Brandon Mathews, niece Breanne Hentges, best friends Rick and Denise Hooker, and goddaughter Raven Taylor and her husband John as well as countless friends from throughout his life.

We love you, Papa. Thank you for everything.