Louis Edward Mathis, Jr.

Louis Edward Â“EddieÂ” Mathis Jr. was born on FatherÂ’s Day on June 21, 1953, and died October 22, 2009. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother-in-law, Doris Wenglar, and his father Louis Mathis. He is survived by his mother Nawvis Mathis, wife Debbie Mathis, and children, Clint (Nancy) Maxwell, Lance Maxwell and fiancÃ© Jill Worchesik, Amy (Scott) Peterson, and Brad Mathis. He is also survived by four grandchildren, sisters Dona (Curtis) Skains and Joy (Cecil) Addison, and numerous nephews and nieces. Being born on FatherÂ’s Day was not only a gift to his father, but to all of those who knew him. Born in Pasadena, he grew up in Madisonville, TX. His love for sports started with basketball and baseball in school and football with friends. He worked at SnookyÂ’s and Evans Groceries as a bagger during high school and college. He graduated from Madisonville High in 1971. He attended Sam Houston State University where he received an undergraduate in History. During that time, he worked as a prison guard for TDC. He later went on to work for Brown Oil Tools and then returned to TDC Administration. In 1995, he began his career with the Walker County probation office, where he served as the Deputy Director and Special Projects Coordinator of the Judicial District Community Supervision and Corrections Department. He was never afraid to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. Whether it was coaching little league baseball games, helping out around the farm, volunteering with his church, or simply mowing the lawns around the neighborhood, it was not in his nature to shy away from work that had to be done. His strong work ethic was due in part to the selflessness of his character. He always put the needs of others ahead of his own and had the strength to do so because he genuinely cared about all of the people in his life. It was hard not to be touched by his generosity and rare to see him without a smile on his face. His family and friends were his greatest love and meant the world to him. Grandkids looked forward to visiting their grandpa, who would always be there with candy and offering rides on top of his shoulders. At any family get together you would find him either talking about how bad or good the Cowboys were doing that year or sitting with family in a game of forty-two, commenting on how bad his opponents were cheating and grinning all the while. If you ever needed advice about anything, he would lend a kind yet thoughtful ear and spoke whole heartedly with every word. It was in his nature to be genuine as well as wise, which are characteristics that cannot be taught - you must be born that way. He had the qualities of a man that anyone would strive to live up to and taught us the value of love, generosity of heart, that family comes first, and good friends last forever. His warm heart and strong presence will be missed but not forgotten. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center: Nellie B. Connally Fund- In Memory of Louis Edward Mathis Jr., P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77230. 1-800-525-5841. www3.mdanderson.org/devoffice/ Services will be held Monday, October 26 at 10:00am in the chapel of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Huntsville, TX. Visitation will be Sunday, October 25 from 5 Â– 8:00PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Jozye Cemetery in Madisonville, TX. Pallbearers will be Mike White, Jim Locke, J.R. Sims, Leroy Wilkinson, Leonard Haley and David Baker. Memorial condolences may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Louis Edward Mathis, Jr.

June 21, 1953 - October 26, 2009