Lawrence Ray Matthews, "Ray", 97, departed this life on September 11, 2021.

Ray was born in Hinton, Kentucky on Feb 12, 1924 to Richard Ray Matthews and Gertrude B Fightmaster. He continued to live in the Lexington, KY area and moved to Clarksville, IN in the early 70's and then to Jacksonville, FL followed by Kingsland, GA for the last 20 years.

He is survived by his twin sister, Ruby Horne of Cynthiana, KY and cousin, Norma Hanrahan of Sun City, FL.  Children are  Lawrence Ray Matthews "Ray, Jr", of Stuart, FL,  Ronald S Matthews of Ventura, CA,  Roger Matthews of Cynthiana, KY,  Linda K Matthews of Georgetown, KY, Eddie R Matthews, Jonathan R Matthews, Julinnah L Matthews, Johannah I Matthews of Kingsland, GA. He had many grandchildren.

Ray was a member of the the Master Mason Grand Lodge of Kentucky #160. He loved country and gospel music and played the pedal steel guitar well into his 90's. His favorite steel was a Sho Bud and he would play until the morning light. He talked country music with the Grand Ole Opry stars in Nashville. He had a love for flying, especially his  "tail draggers" and owned several Aeronca Champs. He often told stories of buzzing his father's home and the local airstrip in Georgetown. He proudly served in the US Army during WWII in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He
was stationed in Leyte, in the Philippines. Back in the states, he was a policeman in Georgetown, KY and ran for public office.
He also ran his own private security business.  He was a car salesman, had an insurance debit route, drove a bus, owned a bar and was owner operator of a trucking business. In his later years he enjoyed watching the news and just puttering around. He drove
his Cadillac locally at age 96. He enjoyed midnight milkshakes at Dennys with his friend, Mark West, and talking for hours with "Big Momma", Susan Teston (ex wife). Ray had a good sense of humor and was always witty with sarcasm.  He was affectionately called "humdinger" and "chief".  In his later years, instead of good bye, he would say "Its time to get the hell out of Dodge".  And so it was.

We love and miss you dearly, Poppa. Until we meet again...

Interment is planned at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL.