James Robert Mathews was born August 14, 1934, in Waurika, Oklahoma, to Leroy and Ola Mae Smith Mathews. He passed from this life Sunday, April 8, 2007, at Jefferson County Hospital in Waurika, at the age of seventy-two. He was a regional manager for Western Union Telegraph from 1952 to 1984. He served his country in the United States Army. He was a Baptist.

Survivors include: four brothers - B.J. Smith of Jinks, OK, John M. Mathews of Oklahoma City, OK, John T. Mathews of Heavner, OK, and Jerry Lee Mathews, also of Heavner, OK; one sister - Esta Timberlake of Waurika, OK; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services for Mr. Mathews were at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at the Dudley Funeral Home Chapel in Waurika, with Rev. Gene Jorgenson officiating. Burial was in the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika. Memorial contributions may be made to Goode Samaritan Hospice or Parkinson's Research at www.PDF.org.