J.L. ‘Jeet’ Mathews, 80, of Buchanan Dam dies Sept. 7, 2014
J.L. “Jeet” Mathews, 80, of Buchanan Dam, Texas, passed away at home Sept. 7, 2014, national Grandparents Day, with his family by his side, after a short and hard-fought battle with cancer. A son of Harvey and Ethel (Fitzgerald) Mathews, he was born on March 31, 1934, in San Saba County, Texas, the youngest of six children.
He was raised and educated in Bangs, Texas. He married Barbara Vosburg on March 10, 1961.
J.L. proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. After his discharge, he lived and worked in Carlsbad, N.M. He was employed with Southwestern Public Service for 20 years. He then owned and operated Valley Hole Digging Service. After retiring, they moved near a lake in Texas to fish and enjoy the wildlife, which he did constantly.
He has lived in the Highland Lakes area for 14 years. He loved to fish, hunt, refurbish juke boxes and watch sports on TV, and he was always a great support to his daughter and grandchildren in sports. He never went by “daddy” or “granddad.” He was “just Jeet” to all.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Mathews of Buchanan Dam, Texas; daughter, Sandra Mills of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Bradley and his wife Jamie Mills of Houston, Texas, Jaime Mills of Austin, Texas, and Hollie Mills of Carlsbad, N.M.; great-grandchildren, Caiden Mills, Logan Bindel, MacKenzie Bindel and Dylan Mills; sisters, Melba Fox and Betty Jo Perkins, both of Bangs, Texas; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, H.C., Mervil and Billy Mathews.
Memorial contributions may be made in J.L.’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the Baptist Children’s Home, 2200 S. Ave. I, Portales, NM 88130.
A celebration of life is 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Putnam Funeral Home with the Rev. William Karlton assisted by Steve London officiating. The Highland Lakes Honor will provide military honors. An online guest register may be signed at www.putnamcares.com.
Cremation arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Ave., Kingsland, (325) 388-0008.