Obituary of Carl Matthews

A funeral service celebrating the life of TSgt (Ret) Carl Edwin Matthews, Jr. (United States Air Force) will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church with full military honors and interment to follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bonham House Fund of the Saluda Historical Society, P.O. Box 22, Saluda, SC 29138; Asbury United Methodist, 1005 Asbury Drive, Columbia, SC 29209, or The American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 in Carl?s memory. On-line condolences may be sent to www.greenlawnmemorialparkandfh.com. The family has entrusted Greenlawn Funeral Home with the arrangements. TSgt (Ret) Carl Edwin Matthews, Jr. passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. He was born on November 28, 1936 in Saluda, SC to Carl Edwin Matthews, Sr. and Thelma Proctor Matthews. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17 and became a weapons avionics maintainer on bomber and fighter aircraft. He worked on B-47?s, F-105?s and F-111 aircraft. He did three tours of duty in Thailand during the Vietnam War including operations Bolo with the F-105 and Linebacker II with the F-111. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1975 and from the R. L. Bryan Company in 1998. Mr. Matthews was a member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church. Carl is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Blalock Matthews and his children, Carla (Ron) Matthews Laird, and Michael Edwin (Margaret) Matthews; three grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Sumter Elizabeth, Reeves Edwin, and Margaret Zoe Matthews; siblings, Sara Matthews Ard (Jim Mullis) and Harold ?Mac? (Billie) Matthews; also many loving relatives and friends. Carl enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping with his family, and was known as an avid Clemson fan. The family would like to thank Dr. Mendiratta, of SC Oncology Associates and Tri-County Hospice for their comfort and compassion during his long illness. Special thanks to his loving niece, Karen Turner for her devoted care and assistance.