Ronald Keith Mathews

Ronald “Ron” Keith Mathews passed away peacefully at home, holding his beloved wife’s hand as the sun rose on Monday, September 15, 2025. Ron was born on December 4, 1943 to Minnie Pauline Yount and John William Mathews in Coldwater, MS. He came from a very large family surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. His family moved to Memphis, TN when Ron was a young boy. He attended and graduated from Southside High School in Memphis where he starred as the middle linebacker on the football team, winning the TN State Championship his senior year. Ron spent his teenage years water skiing on Moon Lake, helping out in his parents’ furniture store, tinkering on car engines, and enjoying an active social life. After high school graduation, Ron attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship. His time at UT was cut short by an injury which ended his football opportunity. He later returned to college and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Memphis State University. Ron also served honorably as a Sergeant in the Tennessee National Guard from 1967 through 1972. He eventually took a job at Ford Motor Company, Tractor Division. During his many years at Ford, he was selected as one of the top National Merit Club winners for 1978 in North America. In 1981, after moving to the New Orleans area, Ron took a job at a local construction equipment dealership and eventually became President of Lee Tractor Company where he was well respected by all who knew him. Ron retired in December, 2010. He enjoyed cherished time spent with his family, traveling, golfing, fishing, tinkering on his boat, working in his garage, cooking and socializing with his many dear friends. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lynn Nunmaker Mathews; two sons, Brad Keith Mathews (wife Maria) and Kevin John Mathews (wife Stacy); five grandchildren, Victoria Ann (13), John Andrew (12), Nicholas Andrew (11), George Alexander (8), and Beckett Alexander (3) Mathews; and one brother, John Richard Mathews of Senatobia, MS. Ron will be dearly and fondly remembered by his family and friends as a kind and loving person, always quick to smile and find humor, a hard worker, and a person who enjoyed life to the fullest. He will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Friday, October 10, 2025. Visitation will be from 10am until noon. Services will begin at noon followed by a Christian burial in Metairie Cemetery.