Jarvis Spencer Matthews

Jarvis Spencer Matthews passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Weatherford, TX, at 89 years of age. At his side were his daughter, Cindy Bandy, and son-in-law, Ted Bandy; son, Paul Matthews; and step-daughter, Terri Ingersoll.
 
 Born in Watertown, NY, on February 22, 1935, to Samuel Jarvis Matthews and Mildred Margaret (née Spencer) Matthews, Jarvis spent his childhood on a dairy farm in Depauville, NY. He later joined the United States Coast Guard, where he served at the Niagara Life Boat Station in Buffalo, NY. Because of this service, he always made sure his kids did not swim alone, wanting to ensure their safety in the water.
 
 Known as “Matt” to many, Jarvis loved so many places in the country that he was known to never stay in one spot for long, often moving between Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, or Texas every six months. He was a hard worker, whether at his job or helping one of his kids with a house project. He spent many years working at the Days Inn in Traverse City and enjoyed it so much that he would retire every year for ten years straight, only to return the next. They were so thrilled to have him that the running joke was to give that man a retirement cake so he’d come back again the next year.
 
 He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Matthews and Mildred (Bert) Brady; brothers, Ralph (Ellen) Matthews, Edwin (Alice) Matthews, Robert (Maude) Matthews, Paul (Hilda) Matthews; and sisters Jeannie (Mike) De Stafano (née Matthews) and Louis (Jim) Schultz (née Matthews). Surviving are his daughter Cindy (Ted) Bandy (née Matthews) of Mineral Wells, TX; sons, Samuel Matthews of Kalkaska, MI, William (Sherry) Matthews of Hilliard, OH; Paul (Kathleen) Matthews of Palestine, TX; Jeffery (Cathy) Matthews of Beverly Hills, FL; stepdaughter, Terri Ingersoll; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; many beloved nieces and nephews; and beloved friend Carol Freeman.
 
 The family would like to thank the Brookdale Assisted Living staff and Dr. Lauren Mott for their generous care. A funeral service will take place in New York this autumn.