Fred C Matthews Jr.

Fred Curtis Matthews Jr., passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025.  He was born on March 31, 1928, on his grandfather’s farm outside of New Vienna, Ohio.

Fred is predeceased by his wife, Carolyn D. Matthews, who passed away on October 17, 2024.  Fred and Carolyn were married in August of 1955 and last year celebrated 69 years of marriage. 

In addition to Carolyn, Fred was predeceased by his parents, Fred C. Matthews Sr. and Lillian Johnson Matthews.  Fred had also lost his brother, Johnson Dale Matthews, his brother-in-law, Robert G. Douglass, and his niece Sharon Bosarge.

He is survived by three children, Melissa Gallagher, Melanie (Dan) Powers, Douglass (Blanka) Matthews; his sister-in-law, Patricia Matthews; and his sister-in-law Sandy Douglass.   He was most proud of his five grandchildren, Colin Gallagher, Cara Gallagher, Mitchell Powers, Martin Powers, and Nathan Matthews.

Fred graduated from Wilmington High School in 1947 and Wilmington College in 1951.   After graduating from college, Fred enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed for three years in Japan during the Korean War as a Chaplain’s Assistant.   One of his responsibilities as a Chaplain’s Assistant was to write letters to the families of soldiers who had made the ultimate sacrifice during the War.

He was discharged from the Air Force in 1955 and married Carolyn Douglass, who became his lifelong companion.  Fred began his teaching career with Wilmington City Schools later that year.   Fred also earned his master’s degree from Miami University, while he was teaching in Wilmington.  During his career he held roles as a teacher, a principal, and he concluded his career as the Business Manager for Wilmington City School District.  He retired in 1990 after a thirty-five-year career.

Upon retiring, Fred and Carolyn were free to pursue their passions, which included building a new home, hosting and entertaining many different groups of friends and colleagues in the community, and traveling all over the world.  He was incredibly proud of all the countries they had traveled to and the cultures they were able to experience.

He was a lifelong member of the Wilmington Friends Meeting House, having joined the congregation in 1935.   He was also a member of the Wilmington Kiwanis and loved playing the drums in the community band. 

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, June 20, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio with a service immediately following the visitation. 

Burial will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fred’s memory may be made to Wilmington Friends Meeting, 66 N. Mulberry Street, Wilmington, OH 45177.

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