Paul Carlton Mathews, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
February 15, 1933 – July 20, 2018

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Carlton Mathews USAF (Ret.) of Montgomery, AL, passed into Heaven on Friday, July 20, 2018. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at 11:00 am in the Westminster Room at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull St. Montgomery, AL, 36104 followed by a Memorial Service at noon in the sanctuary with Rev. Claude McRoberts officiating.

Colonel Mathews was born in Palatka, Florida, on February 15, 1933, to Carlton Joseph Mathews and Leah Garbett Mathews. In his early years, he was active in the First Baptist Church of Palatka as well as the Boy Scouts of America, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1955, he graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, and in 1968, he acquired his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling.

Colonel Mathews was a combat veteran of Southeast Asia, flying numerous special operations missions in helicopters for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Mathews served Baylor University as an academic advisor, pilot, and admissions counselor. He retired from Baylor and then completed a third career as a counselor at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. He was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where he served as a Ruling Elder.

Preceding Colonel Mathews in death are his first wife, Dottie; parents, Carlton and Leah Mathews; and his brother Richard. Survivors include his wife Margaret Harbor Gracey Mathews; his daughter Beth Beckwith (Paul) of Sydney, Australia; and his sister, Leah Fontaine (Joe) of Bear Valley Springs, California. Extended family include Sally Byrd (Chuck), Ann Gillespie (Dean), and Sarah Hillyer (Josh and children Harbor and Zelda). Paul will be missed by his family and many loving friends. Memorials may be made to The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409 or to Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Flight Class(es): 57-B US
CallSign(s): KNIFE
Unit(s): 21 SOS (71-72)
Branch of Service: AF

~ GUEST BOOK ~

Clenet Ellis
July 24, 2018
Sincere condolences to Margaret, Beth and the whole family. Paul was a good man and a good friend. So many happy memories of our time as neighbors in the duplex at Ramey AFB. Mary Anne (Doty) and Betty (McGuire) also send their sympathy.

Catherine Elizabeth (Beth) Beckwith
July 23, 2018
My father…what can I say that could even compare to his whole amazing being. Firstly, he was an obedient soldier of our Lord. He was a faithful and loving husband to my mother and to Margaret Gracey Mathews who is my 2nd mother. He was a loyal man to everyone but especially to God. He was a happy man who loved to have fun and laughed quite a bit. Even though he was away a lot piloting the bombers

and ‘copters in Nam, he was always right there with mother and I, in our hearts. He was always fair, and never held back when he didn’t see eye to eye with a situation. He was my protector, my hero, my teacher and boy did we have fun doing things ‘in our element.” I remember he and I picking thousands of beans, black and red called Jequirity beans in Puerto Rico. Brought them home in big paper bags. My mother soon discarded every last one as they were deadly poisonous containing Abrin under the Terrorism Act! Oh well, they were pretty…. You will never know how much I miss you Daddy. Your positive outlook on life, your compassion towards other people no matter what their situation, good or bad, and the years we were together will be cherished with memories, photos and more. We all love you and will miss you terribly. Say hello to Momma for me and I will see y’all one day soon. Love, Your daughter Beth

Paul Beckwith
July 23, 2018
Dad, nothing can describe the grief that i am feeling, you were such a wonderful & caring father to my beautiful wife Catherine (Beth), you welcomed me into your family with open & loving arms, i was so proud to call you Dad, i remember the phone calls that you always welcomed me with “Son Paul” with that beautiful accented voice. When we came to visit you wanted to show & let me experience everything, especially “Blue Bell”. You knew my favorite bird was the humming bird so you went out and bought a feeder so i could experience them, our conversations on the back patio in Waco will live long in my memory, Our little shopping adventures, i will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have done for us, you are now with the lord, rest in peace sweet father, you will be eternally loved & missed. Love “Son Paul”

Beth Beckwith (Mathews)
July 23, 2018
My father…what can I say that could even compare to his whole amazing being. Firstly, he was an obedient soldier of our Lord. He was a faithful and loving husband to my mother and to Margaret Gracey Mathews who is my 2nd mother. He was a loyal man to everyone but especially to God. He was a happy man who loved to have fun and laughed quite a bit. Even though he was away a lot piloting the bombers and ‘copters in Nam, he was always right there with mother and I, in our hearts. He was always fair, and never held back when he didn’t see eye to eye with a situation. He was my protector, my hero, my teacher and boy did we have fun doing things ‘in our element.” I remember he and I picking thousands of beans, black and red called Jequirity beans in Puerto Rico. Brought them home in big paper bags. My mother
soon discarded every last one as they were deadly poisonous containing Abrin under the Terrorism Act! Oh well, they were pretty…. You will never know how much I miss you Daddy. Your positive outlook on life, your compassion towards other people no matter what their situation, good or bad, and the years we were together will be cherished with memories, photos and more. We all love you and will miss you terribly. Say hello to Momma for me and I will see y’all one day soon. Love, Your daughter Beth

Rut Fuller
July 23, 2018
Remembering Paul from days at The Citadel….same Squadron… He visited me during summers at Daytona Beach…. He was a good friend and the Lord will be getting a good soldier!

Linda Henson
July 23, 2018
Throughout my life I have heard stories of Paul from my father and mother (Dick and JoAnn Meyer) about Paul. He was my father’s roommate in college at the Citadel. My parents adored Paul. It’s bitter sweet as he will be missed here on earth… but there is no doubt we know where he is… Heaven, with God and our Lord Jesus Christ. God smiled down on Paul here on earth as he followed God’s will.. Love and Prayers to the family…
Linda Meyer Henson