Robert W. “Foxy” Matherne, born on March 13, 1940, the son of Robert “Bob” Matherne and LaVerne Hester Matherne, died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of April 9, 2021, at the age of 81. A native Baytonian, he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1958. He received a BA in social sciences from Southern Methodist University in 1962, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the SMU Letterman’s Association. After graduating from SMU, Matherne received his MS in outdoor education and recreation from Indiana University. For the next two years, he was assistant director of Camp Sequoyah, a private camp for boys near Asheville, NC, before returning to Baytown in 1965.
Foxy worked with his father, Bob, at Matherne’s, Inc., the family office products, furniture, and printing business, until Bob’s death in 1977. He then served as President of the company until selling the business and retiring in 2001.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as a lay reader, vestryman and stewardship chairman. He was a Rotarian for 50 years, and served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Houston Chapter of the Red Cross, and St. James House. He was also active in the National Office Products Association, serving as the elected governor of District 7 and a member of the board of directors.
Matherne was given the nickname of “Foxy” at birth, in honor of his godfather. He adored Gloria, his beloved wife of 34 years, and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with his family, Thanksgiving gatherings in Brackettville, Lionel trains, Ford Model “A” cars, history, John Wayne movies, talking to old friends, telling long stories, and SMU football.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Johnson Matherne; his sons, Robert Collord Matherne and Richard Collord Matherne (Rebecca); his daughters, Julie McWhirter Stevenson (Kim) and Kelles Kennedy Villeneuve (Robert); his six grandchildren, Caylor Ryan Matherne (Valentina), John Ramsay Matherne, Joseph Robert Matherne, Tara Monette Kennedy, Aaron Gregory Stevenson, and Nicole Quin Stevenson (Osiel); his 3 great-grandchildren, Connor Michael Matherne, Myles Samuel de la Mothe, and Harbor Gregory Stevenson; and a large extended family.
The family will host friends for a reception at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., on Wednesday, April 14, from 5:00-8:00 pm, with a memorial service (outdoors, with masks and social distancing) at Trinity Episcopal Church, 5010 N. Main St., on Thursday, April 15, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Foxy’s honor to Trinity Episcopal Church Trinity Episcopal Church Baytown - Donate (trinitychurchbaytown.net).
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