Jack Mckinley Mathews

Jack McKinley Mathews passed away peacefully on February 21, 2022, at the age of 88 in Las Cruces, NM. Jack was born on January 23, 1934, in Mountainair, NM to Robert Gordon Mathews and Lela Mae McKinley. He was the second out of six children. Jack is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Lela, siblings Gordon Mathews, Winnie Castleman, first wife of 36 years Carrie Mathews, and second wife of 27 years Jean Mathews. Jack is survived by his daughter Beverly Lockridge and husband Tommy, daughter Donna Mathews, Grandchildren Kenneth Lockridge and wife Valerie, Dustin Lockridge and wife Brooke, Great-Grandchildren Kimber, Hank, Kason, Aubrie, Nolan, and Lane, siblings Guy Mathews and wife Judy, Johnny Mathews and wife Karen, Warren Mathews and wife Donna, and Brut Roy Tower and family whom which Jack took under his wings as a young child. Jack served in the United States Air Force and was Honorably discharged on April 25, 1962, at the rank of Airman 1st Class. During that time Jack and Carrie were blessed with his first daughter Beverly while stationed in Hawaii. After leaving the Air Force he began working for the Mountain Bell Phone company living in Albuquerque, NM where him and Carrie were blessed with their second daughter Donna. Jack retired proudly from the phone company known at the time as US West after 37 years. He then moved back to his hometown of Mountainair, NM where he spent the last 25 years. Jack graduated from Mountainair High School in 1952 where he was part of the FFA, basketball team and played football during the year they won the State Championship for 6-man football in 1950. Jack had a love for music and played the guitar often. He enjoyed attending the Mathews/McKinley family reunion where several of the family members would get together and play music. Services for Jack will be held on Tuesday March 1, 2022 in Mountainair, NM at the Mountainair Assembly of God Church. Viewing will begin at 10:00am, services at 11:00am with graveside service to follow at the Mathews family cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Lockridge, Dustin Lockridge, Steve Bernauer, Bobby Mathews, Marvin Mathews, and Wayne Mathews. Honorary Pallbearers are Guy Mathews, Johnny Mathews, Warren Mathews and Cody Mathews. The family would like to invite everyone back to the Mountainair Christian Center immediately following the cemetery services. The family would like to thank Harris-Hanlon Mortuary for the care of Jack.