Jonas Newton "Jack" Matthews

Jonas Newton Matthews, 94, well known as Jack, died at his home with his wife and son at his side, on Sunday, January 17, 2021, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Jack was born May 27, 1926, the son of Freda Bryant Matthews and Jonas Newton Matthews. He was married to Pauline Harper Matthews and father of Larry Matthews, and educated in the Bloomfield Schools. In 1944 he was drafted into the United States Army prior to his high school graduation. He engaged in combat throughout France, Czechoslovakia, and Germany, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge until the war in Europe ended with the surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, having earned a Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. At the age of 20 he returned home to finish his senior year of high school. In 1948 he was elected to serve as Stoddard County Treasurer/Ex-Officio Collector. Following eight years in that office, he was employed by the U.S. Department of Labor as a field representative for Job CORPS where he supervised technical training programs for youth camps in 11 states, including one at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Relocating in Jefferson City in the 1961, he continued his legacy of service working for the U.S Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), following his retirement he was appointed to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). He remained a commissioner for the next eight years. The former soldier went on to be one of the founding members of the MVC Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization supporting programs for the military veterans. Over the years he was an integral part of establishing, funding, upgrading veteran's homes and building veterans cemeteries throughout the state of Missouri. A street was named in his honor and was dedicated at the Bloomfield Cemetery on Veteran's Day 2021. Jack was a lifelong Boy Scout being presented with the Silver Beaver award and Vigil Honor, Order of the Arrow. He served as Master of the Bloomfield Masonic Lodge and a member of Royal Arch and York Rites Masons. For over 70 years was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Veterans (AMVETS), Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and Disabled American Vets (DAV). He was well known as an active golfer, having a hole in one at the age of 84, and enjoyed golf tournaments along with his wife Pauline. He is survived by his wife, Pauline, of 73 years, and his son, Col. (Ret.) Larry W. Matthews, a 30-year Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joe, Bob and Bill; and his daughter-in-law, Nancy Matthews. His burial service will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825, and/or The Stars and Stripes Museum, 17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.