  Frances "Buster" Mathis 26 May 1911 - 16 July 1990 Robert W. "Bud" Mathis 31 July 1912 - 16 November 1993 
 The Herald Democrat June 24 - 25, 2011 TOM BEAN - Larry Mathis, 64, born in his home on June 19, 1947, joined his parents, Robert Weldon Mathis and Frances Gregory Mathis of Whitewright, and sister, Louise Eldredge of Garland, in heaven on June 21, 2011 at 11:42 p.m. Family will receive friends at Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman on Friday, June 24, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Services are to be held at the First Baptist Church of Tom Bean, Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m. Graveside services with full military honors will follow at Vittitoe Cemetery in Whitewright. Bro. Mike Courtney is officiating. Larry graduated from Tom Bean High School in 1965. While attending, he served as captain of the football and basketball team, was voted Most Athletic Boy, Mr. Touchdown, and Mr. TBHS. As a sophomore, Larry was "called on by Jack Anderson to lead the Tom Bean Tomcats at the quarterback slot in their first year of football." He was "considered a top-notch passer." Following graduation, Larry received a scholarship to Austin College where he played football prior to serving in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970. Receiving a Purple Heart in January of 1970, he continued his service as a reserve until 1974. In the United States Army, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant, and awarded a Bronze Star and V-device "for his heroic service in an attack near Loikhe, Vietnam." In addition to these honors, his name was also put up for a Silver Star. Upon returning home, Larry studied Chemistry at the University of North Texas, where he graduated with honors and a Bachelor of Science. He maintained a 4.0 average. After college, Larry continued to play Semi-Pro football for the Sherman-Denison Jets. He met his wife, Carolyn Kakie Skipworth, in 1970. They were married at her home in Gunter on June 9, 1972. Their first daughter, Tiffany Leah Mathis, was born September 4, 1975. She is the mother of their three grandchildren, Macy Noelle Mathis, Hally Faith Bollier, and Carter Blake Jamison. Their second daughter, Kristin Nicole Mathis, was born October 13, 1982. She was married to their son-in-law, Nathan Lee Pettit, August 16, 2004. Larry loves to travel, and has taken his family on vacations every summer for the past 35 years. During his free time, he loves to ride his bike and quail hunt. He is known affectionately throughout the area as "Dogman," due to his love for the English Setters he raises, and he rarely misses the opportunity to escape for a weekend hunt in West Texas. Larry has been a Supervisor at Texas Instruments for 31 years, where he is lovingly referred to by his employees and friends as "Big Daddy." Over the years, he has enjoyed being both a Deacon and Sunday School teacher for the First Baptist Church of Tom Bean. He is described by family as the "best brother, father, and husband anyone could have." People eagerly awaiting to see him again are the wife that he is still "trying out," Carolyn Kakie Mathis; daughter, Tiffany Leah Mathis, and grandchildren, Macy Noelle Mathis, Hally Faith Bollier, and Carter Blake Jamison; daughter Kristin Nicole Mathis and son-in-law Nathan Lee Pettit; brother and sister-in-law, Robert Weldon Mathis, Jr. and LaVerle Mathis; sister, Frankie Jo Hughes; sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Freddy Hagenswold; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; four English Setters, and a pointer. Pallbearers include Danny Kemp, Daryl Powell, David Rogers, Freddy Hagenswold, Jim Towery, Jan Armstrong, Larry Jones, and Larry Partain.  Vittitoe Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
