Al H. Matthews Obituary (1936 - 2012)

Al H. Matthews Green River - Al H. Matthews, 76, of Green River, died May 4, 2012 unexpectedly due to complications during surgery at University Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born January 29, 1936 in Liberty, Idaho to Alonzo Henry and Charlotte Pearl Hulme Matthews. He was the youngest of seven children and had one brother and five sisters. Al attended schools in Liberty and Paris, Idaho graduating from Fielding High School with the class of 1954. He then served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England. After returning from his mission, he married Carol Miles in the Logan LDS Temple in Logan, Utah on October 24, 1958. With the intention of being a pharmacist, he attended Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) until his father broke a hip requiring him to return home to run the family farm. Before moving to Green River in 1968 to work in the trona mines, he worked his family farm, ran sheep, and was a lumberjack. For 20 years he worked at TaTA Chemicals, formerly Allied Chemical, finishing his career there as the Mine Maintenance Superintendent. He retried after working 14 more years as a Physical Facilities Manager for the LDS Church. Al was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many positions throughout his life. His interests included hunting with his sons and his friends, Dutch Oven cooking, gardening, fishing, working crossword puzzles, going on long rides, and following BYU sports. Survivors include his wife Carol Matthews of Green River; children Ken and wife Lezli of Sandy, Utah, Dan and wife Betty Jo of Heber City, Utah, Todd of Green River, and Lisa Carroll and husband Rick of Green River; 23 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Green River LDS Stake Center, 120 Shoshone, Green River. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday May 8, 2012 at the Stake Center and Wednesday one hour prior to the services. Interment will take place in the Liberty Cemetery, Liberty, Idaho.