Ray Matthews
Ray John Matthews, 64, of Angier NC (formerly of Dunn, NC) passed away at home on October 31, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 21, 1953 in Corry, Pennsylvania to the late Felix and the late Eunice Matthews of Youngsville, PA.
Ray graduated from Youngsville High School in 1971. He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania and his Master of Science in analytical chemistry at the University of South Carolina. After college, his career began at Brockway Glass in Brockway, PA and Stackpole in St. Marys, PA. In 1983, the family moved to Dunn, NC where Ray worked as an engineer at Morganite, Inc. for 20 years. Following a career change in 2008, Ray began teaching chemistry at local community colleges. At the time of his death, he was teaching chemistry at Fayetteville Technical Community College.
Ray was very active in his children’s activities as they were growing up and afterward, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and girls’ softball. He served as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 711 and coached the Alphin Brothers softball team to a county championship. The entire Matthews family graduated from the University of South Carolina, and Ray enjoyed tailgating with family before football games. After the kids left, he and Janis enjoyed many trips to the Caribbean.
Ray started playing the drums with garage bands in his parents’ basement in high school and played with The Rovers of Warren, PA for many years. Recently he began playing again with people he’d met in the community over the years and enjoyed playing in local establishments. His most recent band was Coats City Limits of Lillington, NC.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Janis (Jackson) Matthews; his three children Linsey Amundson (Mark) of Chapel Hill; Jessica Chrzaszcz (Tomasz) of Millsboro, DE and William Casey Matthews (Amber) stationed in Sacile, Italy; and his two grandsons Rhys Everest Amundson and Felix Maximilian Chrzaszcz. He is also survived by his brother Alan Matthews of New York.
The family will receive friends and neighbors Saturday, November 4 from 1pm to 3pm at 259 Clover Thatch, Fearrington Village, NC 27312. A private memorial will be held at a later date. Condolences can be left for the family at cremationsocietync.com.
Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.