Robert Lewis (Bob) Mathews

Robert (Bob) Mathews, 88, of Amarillo, TX, passed away on July 11, 2023. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Dr., Amarillo, TX, 79109 on July 17, 2023, at 2:00 PM.  Visitation will be held on July 16 from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Bob was born in Des Moines, Iowa on March 6, 1935, to Margaret and Ivan Mathews.  Bob grew up in Iowa and Nebraska and graduated from Trenton High School in 1952.  He attended the University of Nebraska and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering.  He was a member of Theta Xi social fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi professional fraternity and a member of the A.F.R.O.T.C. drill team.

In 1957, Bob entered the Navy where he attended Officer Candidate School.  He was stationed in Barcelona, Spain as well as many other ports before retiring in 1984 as a commander.  Bob also spent 8 years in Saudi Arabia working for Tradco-Vulcan in the construction industry.  After coming home from Saudi Arabia, Bob worked in the trucking industry and became the department head at Amarillo College overseeing the truck driving school for more than 20 years.

On July 3, 1985, Bob married Jo Reynolds.  They spent 38 years happily married until his passing.  Bob and Jo enjoyed spending time together perusing estate and garage sales and having booth space on 6th Street to sell their finds.  Bob also loved caring for his beloved parrot, Lola.

Bob was a long-time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church of Amarillo and served as an usher.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Mathews, and his mother, Margaret Mathews.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Jo Mathews; stepsons, Bryan Reynolds and wife Kristy of Longmont, Colorado, Blake Reynolds and wife Leigh of Atlanta, Georgia, Brad Reynolds and wife Venetia of Dallas Texas; 4 grandchildren, Connor and Alexis Reynolds of Longmont, Colorado, Olivia Reynolds of Greenville, South Carolina, and Ethan Reynolds of Atlanta, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be sent to the Magnolia Exotic Bird Sanctuary, 19703 Turtle Creek Lane, Magnolia, TX 77355. magnoliaexoticbirdsanctuary.org