Ret. Col. John Matthews

John Matthews, formally of Knob Noster, Missouri, later of Arkansas, passed away on November 14, 2021, in Arkansas. He was born August 26, 1961, in Sedalia, Missouri to Merle Arthur and Elizabeth Ann (Covey) Matthews (both deceased).
He is survived by his first wife, Michele Denker Matthews, his daughter, Jennifer (Nick) Schimmer, and grandchildren, Tristan, Liam and Hadley of Cabot Arkansas; his former partner, Teresa Gardner, his son and daughter, Connor and Matti Matthews of Springfield Virgina; John is also survived by his current wife, Carolyn Dalke Matthews of Austin, Texas. Other survivors are his brother Dan Matthews of Lexington, Missouri, brother Sam Matthews of Dublin Ireland, and sister Lisa Matthews of Lee's Summit, Missouri.
John was raised on the family farm north of Montserrat. He excelled in sports especially baseball, football, and later golf.
After High School while working on the farm, he played in a local band FoxFire with his brother Sam. He then enlisted in the US Army Reserve posted in Missouri.

John graduated from and was commissioned as a US Army Second Lieutenant in Army Aviation via the Army ROTC Program at Central Missouri State University in 1987. After flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama he was assigned to West Germany. He flew various missions in support of US and NATO forces. Of note he trained for and flew support missions to our Embassy in Beirut Lebanon from a US Navy aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea. John was in combat operations in Operation Desert Storm flying into Iraq, occupied Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. He was subsequently assigned to Panama, Alaska, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and various US posts. He attended the Naval Command and Staff War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Late in his career he became an Army Acquisition officer specializing in development of and fielding modernized equipment and systems to soldiers in the field including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he saw action again on numerous missions in both conflicts.
His last assignment was as an Acquisition Program Manager at Fort Hood Texas. Attaining the Honorable rank of Colonel, John retired from active duty in 2013. He retired to Texas, then later moved to Arkansas.
John was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Royals fan. He flew the flags of the US and KC Chiefs side by side. John will be remembered by all who knew him for his proud service to the Nation, his wonderful musical and woodworking talents, and his love of Texas, Missouri, and his hometown, where he leaves many many lifetime friends. Those lucky enough to know him well will affectionately remember him as a history buff, the life of the party, and a fantastic teller of the “biggest fish” story anyone has ever told.

A visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2021, at the Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 S. St. Lexington, MO, 64067, 660-259-2245. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that those who wish to send a donation, please do so to your local VFW, American Legion Post, or a State Veterans Home who have lists of items needed for residents in John’s name. These fine organizations strive to help our Nation's proud veterans. They helped John after his many years of dedicated and honored service and continue to help our other Veterans still needing our thoughts, prayers, and assistance today.

Due to timing, Covid and the Health and Safety of our friends, the family will be organizing a memorial gathering at a later date when Sam can attend as well.