Thomas F. Matthews' Obituary
Thomas F. Matthews died on January 27, 2025. Tom was born in Aurora, Illinois March 18, 1939.
He attended public schools in Aurora, graduating from West Aurora High School. He attended Monmouth College earning a BA degree in 1961. Sensing a call to Christian ministry, he entered Union Seminary in New York City, graduating with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1964. (He attended Union on a Rockefeller Brothers Fellowship.) He later earned a Master of Theology degree from Pittsburgh Seminary.
He served 40 years as a Presbyterian minister in the following churches: in Pennsylvania 4th Street, Altoona (where he met the love of his life – Patty Miller) and Chartiers Cross Roads, Washington and in Texas – First Richardson, First Denton, Flower Mound, and Westminster Austin and First Whitesboro.
Tom had many interests. He enjoyed traveling, visiting 48 states and 9 Canadian provinces. Many of these trips were made with his wife. He made seven trips to Mexico to see the natural and historical wonder of the country. He visited Europe from Scotland to Russia. He made a memorial trip to Isreal. Tom had a life-long interest in serious art. He served as a docent at the Dallas Museum of Art for many years. Tom delighted in railroading, taking many train trips. Mainly through gifts, he amassed a fine collection of books on railroads. He was a member of the Spring Creek Model Train Club for many years.
Tom was a strong believer in community service. For several years, he was an ESL teacher at the East Dallas campus of the Vickery Meadows Learning Center.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents – John and Joan Matthews and his grandson, Daniel Jimenez. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patty, his daughters Diana Jimenez and Mary Anne Barto; sons-in-law – Frank Jimenez and Jim Barto, and four grandchildren – Andrew and Carena Jimenez, and Ethan and Allison Barto.
A private service for immediate family will be held to honor his memory. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorials be made to the church or charity of choice.
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