Gene Mathews

Strengthened by the Sacraments of the Holy Church, Gene Mathews was called home by our Heavenly Father and entered into eternal rest on June 13, 2026.

Gene was born at home on October 19, 1937, in Burr Oak, Iowa to his parents Leo and Florence Mathews, and had a life fully lived. One that cannot be summarized into a few paragraphs and in which he made many true and lifelong friendships. He loved telling these stories and hearing the life stories of others.

He grew up as a dutiful and adventurous son on his family farm with his younger siblings Mary and Jerry. At a young age he developed a love for the theatrical. Upon graduating high school, he attended Loras College and then transferred to Oklahoma University. During these years he studied theater production. He made stage sets and did behind the scenes work on several plays. After his college years, he enlisted and served two years in the United States Marine Corp where he trained at Quantico in the aviation division. After his service, he joined a dear friend from OU as the 24-Hour Man for his traveling Rossi Brothers Wild West Show. When the show closed, he moved to Hollywood, California where he lived with his brother in an apartment under the Hollywood sign. During this time, he earned his pilot’s license, bought a WWII PT 26 airplane, and worked simultaneous jobs at Western Electric, a local drive in theater, and Jack’s Pool Hall -until he heard an ad on the radio about becoming an Air Traffic Controller. Upon completion of training in Oklahoma, he began his Air Traffic Control career in Lancaster, California.

In 1968, he met the one and only love of his life at his brother’s wedding. He married Peggy on June 13, 1970, and they had five wonderful children – Jennifer, Theresa, Danny, William, and Mike. He has two grandsons – Eli and Ian, and a grandson and granddaughter (twins) on the way. He was a truly devoted husband and undeniably the world’s best and most loving father and grandfather.

He spent over 15 years as an Air Traffic Controller until the historic PATCO strike of 1981. At that time, it was illegal for federal workers to strike. All who refused to return to work, including Gene, were fired by the President of the United States. He went on to establish an insurance agency and was a trusted agent for the next 15 years. As a result of his charm, work ethic and ability to connect with others, he accomplished great success – winning many top sales awards and recognitions. In 1997, he moved his wife and family to her home state of Washington. He started his next career at the age of 60, owning and operating a fire and flood restoration business from which he retired several years later.

In addition to his career accomplishments, he succeeded in many other pursuits and ventures. Throughout his life, he dabbled in real estate. He designed and constructed a commercial building. He bought and restored a 1950’s era Rolls Royce that people could rent for their special events, with him as the chauffeur. He painted several beautiful paintings. He completed many projects at their family home, such as building a second story on the house and designing and building a beautiful waterfall that flowed into a stream with a brick bridge over it.

After retirement, Gene and Peggy moved back to his home state of Iowa where he lived the last chapter of his extraordinary life. During this time, he enjoyed talking to friends and strangers, cooking, listening to music, tending to and enjoying his yard, whistling with the birds and most especially spending time with his beloved family.

His life was a tapestry of faith, prayer, hard work, unique and beautiful adventures, pure, unbounded love, laughter, unshakeable joy…. And all of it made even brighter by his theatrical nature. To know him was to love him.

Gene is united in the peace of Christ with his parents, sister, nephews and many other family and dear friends from the myriad of journeys he took and treasured connections he made along the way.

Mass of Christian Burial 
June 19, 2026

          Rosary 9:40 a.m.  
          Mass 10:30 a.m.
          St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 
          Cedar Rapids, IA

A livestream of the Mass will be available at https://stpatrickscr.org

          Interment 3:00 p.m. 
          St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery 
          Plymouth Rock, IA

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.