MATTHEWS, Roy D.

Roy D. Matthews June 27, 1939 – July 26, 2015 Roy Dolphus Matthews went home to be with the Lord on July 26, 2015. Roy was born June 27, 1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Carrie “Mickey” and Henry Matthews. Roy accepted the Lord at an early age and was an active member in the Logan Methodist Church and later attended Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Omaha, NE. Roy was preceded in death by his mother Mickey; father, Henry; stepmother, Mary Alice; infant son; brother, William “Willie”; sisters, Sandra and Sara; niece, Cordelia Rhodes; grandnephew, Dominique Davis (Michelle R. Davis Wright) and grandniece, Israel Miller (Barbarakaye and Julius). The family moved to Logan, Iowa when Roy was five. Roy and his sister, Sandra attended Reddingbaugh Elementary School and Beebeetown Middle School. The family enjoyed visits from Cincinnati cousins: Henrietta “Henny” and Jessie Starkey and Joy, Phyllis, Ernest, and Michael Matthews. Roy graduated from Logan Magnolia High School in 1958. A gifted athlete, singer and student, Roy lettered in football, track and basketball, and sang in Glee Club, Mixed Chorus and All State Chorus while serving as Class Officer and Student Council representative. Roy was popular with students, staff, and faculty and continued connections long after leaving the Logan area. Roy attended Omaha University (UNO) to pursue a career as a History Teacher prior to being drafted by the United States Air Force. During his tour in the Azores, Roy sustained a serious injury and was shipped back to the States. During his recuperation in a St. Louis Veterans Administration Hospital, Roy met and married his specialty nurse, Harriett. Roy and Harriet’s union created daughter, Lorraine, a.k.a. Nyela Amadi. Roy received an Honorable Discharge in February of 1965 and moved to California where for many years he worked for BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), driving city buses and street cars. Roy relocated to the Omaha Metro Area in the 1970’s due to his mothers’ terminal illness. He married Marsha (Owens) Matthews and together they raised Michelle and Moses, and later, granddaughter, Markitta. Roy worked for MAT (Metropolitan Area Transit) and retired from Vickers. Roy’s interest and love of computers led him to successful completion of a Microsoft A+ Certification. Roy also updated his CDL and begin driving for the Omaha Public Schools. Roy loved to travel, photographing homes, landmarks, family, and people he met along the way. Known for his great sense of humor, Roy entertained everyone he met. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, sports, and socializing. Roy valued his country roots and loved his weekly visits to the farm. His running buddy was his granddaughter, Markitta, who lovingly called Roy, “Honey” just like her grandmother, Marsha. During his retirement, Roy enjoyed weekly lunch and laughs with his late brother-in-law, Carl “Rookie” Wright, Larry Cherry, John Scott, Ken Johnson, Roscoe DuPree, Richard Powell, and others. Roy loved the scrumptious dinner parties hosted by Joyce and Carl Wright, and special meals prepared by Chef Alan Wright. Roy’s youngest granddaughter, 15-month-old Ms. Sadie, daughter of Damian (Nederah) Pollack, brought sparks to Roy’s eyes. She knew her grandfather, and he liked to see her smile. Roy’s niece, Michelle R. Wright, assisted Roy prior to his hospitalization and enjoyed trips to the country and dining at many local restaurants including Joe Tess Fish Place. His nephew, Carl R. Wright, Jr. and wife, Robinlynn, shared with Roy his love of fishing and reminiscing about childhood, life’s mysteries, and adventures. Nephew Alexander J. Matthews shared his Uncle Roy’s passion for University of Nebraska Cornhuskers Football and would celebrate victories and losses with laughs and cries. Former coworker and best friend Dave McWilliams shared Roy’s interest in sports and current affairs and made a homemade chicken soup that Roy and eating partner, niece Michelle, enjoyed immensely. Roy’s special friend, Ms. KiKi Johnson, provided Roy with much needed support and friendship. Left to carry on Roy’s jovial spirit and love of life are his sons, Damian (Nederah) Pollack of Omaha and Moses Owens of Minneapolis, Minnesota; daughters, Nyela Amadi of Washington, D.C and Michelle (Jim) Powell of Minneapolis; two granddaughters, Sadie Pollack of Omaha and Markitta Owens of Minneapolis; sister, Patricia Matthews Gaines of Atlanta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Joyce (Carl) Wright of Omaha; nephews: Carl (Robinlynn) Wright, Jr. of Texas City, Texas, Alan Wright of Omaha, Alexander (Tyria) Matthews, Sr. of Atlanta, and William Matthews, Jr. of Dallas, Texas ; nieces: Penny (Larry) Mays of Memphis, Tennessee, Michelle R Wright of Omaha, Suzzette Flodberg of Bradenton, Florida, Barbarakaye (Julius) Miller and Christina (Sam) Washington of Atlanta; special friends, Dave McWilliams of Pisgah, Iowa and KiKi Johnson of Lincoln, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, classmates, and friends. VISITATION begins Saturday, August 1st at 9am, followed by SERVICES at 10am, all at the West Center Chapel with military rites by American Legion Post #1. Memorials may be directed to the family.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900