George William Mathews Jr.

George William Mathews, Jr., passed away January 2. He was 88. Mathews was born September 7, 1927, the son of Weeta Watts Mathews and George William Mathews, Sr. He grew up in Columbus, Georgia, where he attended Columbus High School before entering Georgia Tech in 1944. At Tech, Mathews majored in Industrial Management and served as president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society, and the ANAK Society, an honorary organization whose members demonstrate exemplary leadership and a true love of Georgia Tech. Mathews lettered twice in basketball and four times in football at Tech. A star running back and defensive back under coaches William Alexander and Bobby Dodd on the Tech’s outstanding teams from 1944 to 1947, Mathews played in two Orange Bowls and was selected for the 1947 College All-Star game. George garnered national attention for his 96-yard fumble recovery returned for a Georgia Tech touchdown against national powerhouse Navy in 1946. That day, Mathews not only gave the Yellow Jackets an improbable win but also set a Tech record that still stands today.

Upon graduating from Tech in 1948, George Mathews was recruited by the New York Giants but chose instead to pursue an M.B.A. at Harvard Business School. With that degree, he began his business career in 1950 at Bluebird Body Company in Fort Valley, Georgia. He subsequently served as executive vice president for the Columbus Iron Works division of the W.C. Bradley Company in his hometown of Columbus and then as vice president in charge of operations at Peachtree Door, Inc., in Atlanta. In 1971, after purchasing Columbus Iron Works, Mathews started Columbus Foundries, Inc. As Chairman and CEO, Mathews, with his associates and managers, transformed that single plant into Intermet Corporation, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of ductile iron parts, with foundries in Europe and Asia as well as the United States, serving the automotive industry and other major users of ductile iron. In 1992, Mathews received the Peter L. Simpson Gold Medal Award from the American Foundry Society “for a lifetime of dedication to the growth of the foundry industry through his leadership, management and motivation of people.” He was elected to the Georgia Tech and State of Georgia Athletic Halls of Fame. George Mathews served on the boards of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, the Georgia Tech Foundation, and Wesleyan College in Macon. He was a co-founder of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. He generously supported not only educational and charitable institutions but also many individuals who came to him in need. Raised by devout Methodist parents in Columbus, he was a member of Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, Piedmont Driving Club, Peachtree Golf Club, Capital City Club, and Sea Island Club.

Mathews married his loving wife, Jane Katherine Kerr, in 1961.

He is survived by Jane and their children Kathleen Mathews Hohlstein (Chris) and George William Mathews, III (Karen), and five grandchildren, Christopher DeWitt Hohlstein, Jr., Virginia Kerr Mathews, Henry Mathews Hohlstein, Jane Stewart Mathews, and George William Mathews, IV, all of Atlanta. Other survivors include Mathews’ nieces, Kathleen Pease McGowan of Marietta and Mildred (Mimi) Pease Childs and nephew Porter (Pete) Golden Pease, Jr., of Columbus, and their families. George was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Mary Ann Mathews Pease.

The Mathews family would like to acknowledge the loyal and excellent care that George received in his last years from Frances Bulger, Otis Pusey, Pearline Hall, Madina Bah, Betty Armstrong, and Monique Cover. A service to celebrate the life of George Mathews will be held at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, January 5 at Northside Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Drive, Atlanta. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall at the church. A graveside service will take place Saturday, January 9 at 1 o'clock at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, followed by a 2 o'clock reception at the Wynn House, 1240 Wynnton Road, Columbus. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northside United Methodist Church, to Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30309, or to Open Door Community House, 2405 Second Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901.