Lewis "Lew" E Mathews

Lewis E. “Lew” Mathews, 89, died June 14, 2016, in Paonia, CO. Lew was born August 23, 1926, in Lamar, Colorado, and lived for more than 80 years in Springfield, CO. He moved to Fruita, Colorado, late in life. He married Erma Lee Teague in June of 1955 in Vilonia, Arkansas. Erma Lee preceded Lew in death by many years. After graduating with the Springfield High School class of 1944, Lew served two years in the United States Navy in the Signalman’s Corps. His ship was on route in the Pacific for the planned invasion of Japan when World War II ended, and the remainder of his tour was spent in the Philippines. After the Navy, he attended college at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) and graduated with a degree in Animal Sciences. He farmed and ranched in Baca County in the Springfield and Two Buttes areas, and raised registered Hereford cattle. He and Erma Lee raised two sons. Lew retired from ranching in the early 1980’s and was manager of the Springfield West Housing Facility for over 25 years. Lew was a loyal member of the Springfield Methodist Church, and served it in many capacities. He was a life member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s and Bent-Prowers Cattle and Horse Growers Associations; serving a term as the Bent-Prowers president, and for many years as custodian of the Cowboy Punchbowl and curator of the Recipe. He was actively involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations over the years. Lew inherited a life-long appreciation for the outdoors from his father. He was an avid hunter, and pursued most manner of hooved and feathered game that could be found in the farm fields and grasslands of Baca County and the steep timbered slopes of the Taylor River country. He was an old-school fly fisherman (bamboo rod, dry fly upstream, wicker creel, and long-handled dip net). His hobbies included square dancing, card playing (cribbage was his specialty), and helping people out however he could. He was kind and generous, and was able to make the best out of the situations life presented. Most people in Baca County knew Lew, and many have stories they could tell. Lew made many new friends later in his life, especially the staff and residents at Paonia Care Center. Lew is survived by sons, Dan (Anna) of Grand Junction and Tom of Springfield; brother, Jim (Carole) of Colorado Springs; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Cremation will take place at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on June 25th at Springfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Erma Lee Mathews Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/0 the Springfield Classroom Teachers Association, 389 Tipton Street, Springfield, CO 81073.