Richard C. Matthews

Richard Carleton “Dick” Matthews, a longtime resident of Oxnard, California, passed away at his home on Thursday, October 25, 2018.  He was 75 years old.  Richard was born on September 28, 1943 in Rochester, New York to Irving Carleton “Carl” and Janet May (Ferguson) Matthews.  He graduated from Irondequoit High School in 1961, earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Purdue University in 1965,  and a master’s degree in French from Brigham Young University in 1970.  Richard married Kathleen “Kathy” Barney on June 3, 1970 in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii.

Richard served for three years as a military intelligence officer in the United States Army.  After being honorably discharged, he worked as a sales representative, a securities investor, and a financial planner.  Richard then became a self-employed tax preparer and enrolled agent, a career he continued for the rest of his working life.  Meticulous to detail, he loved the challenge of deciphering and detangling complicated tax and financial scenarios.

Richard was an active member of the Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout award as a youth and serving as a Scoutmaster for many years.  He was proud that all eight of his sons also became Eagle Scouts.

After being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1964, Richard served a two-and-a-half-year mission to Belgium and northern France.  Over the next 50 plus years, he actively served in the church, including time as a Bishop. 

Richard had a gift for and fascination with language.  He enjoyed writing poetry, reading biographies, solving crossword puzzles, researching family history, telling puns, listening to classical music, and having long conversations with anyone and everyone.  Along with English, he retained practically perfect French fluency for his entire adult life.  He also loved learning and practicing accents, especially Irish brogue. 

Richard is survived by his wife Kathy; a younger brother John C. Matthews (Mary Ellen), of Mercer Island, WA; an uncle, David H. Matthews (Sandi), of Oxnard, CA; sons Nathan C., of Ventura, CA; Brian P. (Jenni), of Moorpark, CA;  Aaron T., of Oxnard, CA; Scott H. (Heather), of Keller, TX; Todd A. (Laura), of Arlington, TX; Adam G., of Oxnard, CA; Brent J. (Natalie), of Clinton, UT; Brad A. (Jenna), of Oxnard, CA; foster daughter Suzanne B. Cacciatore, of  Tampa, FL; and 29 grandchildren.