James Edgar Mathews

Jack Mathews died peacefully in Colorado Springs Colorado on August 17, 2015. He was 97 years old.

James E. Mathews, called Jack by all who knew him. was born in Ashburn, Georgia, on June 24, 1918 to Bernard and Mattie Mathews. He had three brothers and one sister. Due to economic conditions during the Great Depression he family moved frequently in Central Georgia but in 1929 he went to live with his Aunt and Uncle in Ashburn, where he graduated from High School.

After High School Jack attended Georgia Tech for a year before having to go to work. While working he attended Atlanta Law School at night, earning his law degree and passing the Georgia Bar Examination. Shortly afterwards, in 1941, he was drafted into the Army and then joined the Army Air Corps. His wartime assignments included training at Scott Air Force Base and Chicago, Illinois, followed by North Africa. He returned to the USA to attend Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and stationed at Ashville, NC, when the war ended. He was honorably discharged but returned to active duty. In 1948 he was transferred to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, as part of the newly formed Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department. He served as an Air Force JAG for the rest of his career.

While in Hawaii he met and married Laura Trammel of Wetumpka, Alabama. Their son Allen was born there. After Hawaii Jack and his family served in numerous states, as well as overseas in France and Taiwan. His last assignment was Langley AFB, Virginia, where he retired after 33 years of service with the rank of Colonel. They retired in Norfolk, Virginia, where Jack was very involved in civic affairs, including the Civic League, Chairman of the local Republican Party, and Chairman of the Electoral Board. Jack and Laura moved to Colorado Springs in 1997.

Jack’s wife Laura died in 2003. He is survived by his younger brother, Earl, of Bedford, Texas, his son, Allen (USAF, Ret) of Colorado Springs and his grandson, Jacob, of Denver.

A memorial service will be held at Liberty Heights retirement community on Thursday, 27 August at 2:00pm.