Richard Odyne Mathews, Sr.

Richard "Dick" O. Mathews, Sr. August 31, 1937 January 14, 2016 After a brief illness, Richard "Dick", 78, passed away unexpectedly January 14, 2016. Dick was born in Westwood, California to Odyne and Kathryn (Seelye) Mathews. He moved with his parents and two older siblings to Eugene, Oregon where they had a fox farm. After his younger brother was born 3 years later, the family moved to a 180 acre farm in the Veneta area, west of Eugene. He graduated from Willamette High School in Eugene in 1955 and entered the Army. He served active duty and reserves for 8 years. After his active duty in the service he attended Shasta Community College, Lane Community College and the University of Oregon. He had been working for a plywood mill for several years when a mutual friend introduced him to Sylvia Shaffer of Enumclaw, Washington. They dated long distance for over a year before becoming engaged. They were married on June 27th, 1964. Not long after that he went to work for Borden Chemical Inc. in Springfield, Oregon. They moved to Boise, Idaho where their daughter Stacy was born in 1968. From Boise they moved to Kent, Washington where their son Rich was born in 1970. In 1974 they moved to Vancouver, Washington where they lived in the same home to this day. Dick retired from Borden's Portland location in 2001. Dick loved the outdoors and the family spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and camping. He enjoyed sports, and loved watching his kids and then grandkids compete, as well as watching the Blazers and the Mariners on television. In the later years he loved spending time with his family and friends, and felt very lucky to get to see his grandchildren almost every day. Dick leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Sylvia; his daughter Stacy, her husband Tom Walters, and their children Nathan and Allison; his son Rich and his wife Lisa, and their children, Stephanie, Rory, and Kim, and her husband Guillermo Leiva and their children Ali and Ela; his sister Marcia Rau; his brother Ralph Mathews; and many nieces, nephews and their families. He also leaves his best friend and fishing buddy Jerry Murawski and his wife Marilyn, with whom he and Sylvia shared so many adventures and good times. "Keep the line tight Plunk" He was preceded in death by his father Odyne, mother Kathryn, and older brother David. His memorial service will be held Thursday, January 21st at 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a local charity of your choice. Please sign his guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits

Richard Odyne Mathews, Sr.

August 31, 1937 - January 14, 2016