Birth date: Aug 11, 1927 Death date: Jul 6, 2020
Richard Matthies passed away at KPC Promise Hospital of Dallas in the early morning hours on July 6th, 2020, in a cozy bed snuggled up with his favorite Texas Rangers blanket. “Dick” as his beloved wife, Thelma Jean Matthies, and Read Obituary
I was introduced to Dick and Jean in high school. What a blessing! I thought they were great. Little did I know just how great they were or how they would bless my life. It didn't take long. They became my other mother and father. Their Sunday school teachings and the time spent at their house with all of the other kids that were seeking their guidance. How they fed us, took us on trips and did everything that we needed to learn to be good kids and adults was amazing. These "kids" now adults have kept up with them through the years shows just how much we all love them. I am very lucky to live close to where they have lived these last few years. I cherish being able to visit with them. They both have shaped my life in so many ways. I thank them with all of my heart. They did not stop with us. They reached out to refugees also. It is in their soul to help others. God gave them that soul and they have taught others their kindness and the ability to love everyone.
I will never forget.
60 years ago two 13 yr old wannabe bad boys were shooting craps in the church bathroom during the sermon. This grown man comes in and says "you guys want to start a basketball team". No lecture, no judgement. We said OK even though we didn't know how to play basketball. Dick was the grown man and from there he and Jean started a church youth group that was the best in the city. Other, bigger churches, wanted to know the secret of getting all these teenagers involved. The secret was Dick and Jean; no judgement, no lectures - deeds, not words - also fun. This great collection of orphans and misfits are still in communication all these years later. Everybody turned out just fine; although it could have easily gone the other way, at least for me. That was one of the most important times of my life. Dick and Jean (you never said one name without the other) were the best friends/mentors a kid could ever have. Dick will be missed, but I'll always feel his presence.
Mark McDonald
I waited on Dick and Jean and her mom and dad in 1986 at the Expo in Vancouver. He wrote a letter to the hotel a few weeks later addressed “to the breakfast waiter named Scott”. We subsequently became friends and I adopted a 2nd Dad and he a 3rd son. We went to the Calgary Olympics together, I played in hoop-it-up in Dallas with Rick and Dudley, we hiked and fished in Canada together more than once. He tried his hardest to make my first choice of teams the Dallas teams; he’d routinely send me Cowboys, Rangers, Mav’s and Stars shirts. More importantly though, Dick was a role model husband, father, friend and human being. He helped keep me grounded and showed me the value in being giving, thoughtful and humorous. Through the years, when Dick would introduce me to someone he would often say I was his friend who he’d met as a waiter, and although I was a lousy waiter I’d turned out to be a pretty good friend. I’ll miss you Dick, you were one of a kind. FFL.
Jean, Rick and Dudley, my heart is with you. I will always hold memories of each of you close in my heart. Jean, you and Dick made a huge difference in my life, and in my faith walk. The fun , the fellowship, my MYF memories with you will always be with me. I wish I could be with you give you hugs and comfort. Know I am there in heart and spirit.
Debbi Dorman Peterson
My other Dad, he was such a wonderful person I always knew if I was in trouble he would be there for me. Will miss his wisdom and guidance. All my love KiKi
