Kevin Dale Mathis, 63, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, KS. He died the most popular man in the hospice unit, surrounded by family and friends. His final days were filled with stories, laughter, ice cream, and of course his favorite cold drink Mountain Dew Code Red. While he was physically in his hospice room, in spirit we were all sitting in the shade on his front porch with the USMC flag fluttering in the breeze.
Throughout his life Kevin wore many titles: Son, brother, friend, husband, father, uncle, selfie enthusiast, but none more proudly than Marine. To know Kevin was to know his deep love and respect for the United States Marines Corps. He regularly went out of his way to acknowledge and thank fellow Marine veterans for their service and to playfully tease veterans from other branches of the United States Armed Forces. His second night in hospice, when we all thought he was sound asleep, a nurse introduced himself to the family as an Army veteran. Without missing a beat Kevin loudly proclaimed, “I’m sorry!” He sent us all into a fit of laughter, just like he always did, with his signature quick wit and rye sense of humor.
Kevin is preceded in death by his parents, James and Judy; grandparents; and an uncle. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly; daughters, Brandi (Ronaldo) and Jessica; sister, Karen (Derrick); brother, Keith (Janet); five nieces and nephews; 10 great-nieces and nephews; chosen family, Tori; his beloved dog, Bear; and a list of friends so long we would need to take a full page out in the newspaper just to list them all.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., at the DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in Winfield, KS. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to make a donation, in Kevin’s memory, to K9s for Warriors, a nonprofit organization providing service dogs to military veterans or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Semper Fi.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kevin's memory may be made to K9s For Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida, 32081; and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.
