Thomas Matthews Obituary

Born April 14, 1947 at Mercy Hospital in Jackson, Michigan. Tom passed away at his home in Zephyrhills, Florida June 27, 2025 and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce (Inman) Matthews; Daughter, Kristin/Shaun McGuire and granddaughter Charlotte J. McGuire of Superior, Wisconsin.
He is survived by his siblings: Beth/Art Kidd of Grand Marais, Minnesota; Earleen/Marven Baze of Leslie, Michigan; Blake/Sandy Thomas of The Villages, Florida; Denise Thomas Garlan of Sedona, Arizonia; William Garner of Ventura, California; Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law Rick/Kay Weesner of Battle Creek, Michigan; several nieces, nephews and cousins; his best friends: Joan and Bob Ezinga of Middleville, Michigan Joe and Gloria Rousseau of Sebattus, Maine; and Nicki and Brian Smith of Zephyrhills, Florida.
Thomas is preceded in death by his parents F. Harold Matthews. Kathryn (Krugh) Matthews, Delores M. Hicks; Grandparents: Fred and Stella Matthews; Charles E. Krugh and Bertha/Force/Krugh; Mother and Father-in-law, Hazel Mellinger/Inman and Harley Inman; Brother, Blade Thomas; and Brother-In-Law, Daniel D. Inman.
Tom graduated from Parkside High School in 1965 and attended Jackson Community College.
He served two years in the U.S. Army, 1966-1968, stationed in Fort Knox Kentucky, Fort Lee Virginia and Germany. He received an Honorable Discharge on October 26, 1968 but remained in the Army Reserves until he was Honorably Discharged as SP4 on November 14, 1972.
He loved music. He began working for Glen Jessup, a neighbor and owner of Jessup Music and Vending, at the age of 13. Once in High School he continued working as a Co-Op student, then full time after his High School graduation. He returned to this job after discharge from the Army.
In 1965 he met his future wife, Joyce. She was a waitress at the Vandercook Grill and he serviced the Juke Box there. He told a friend soon after he met Joyce "I'm going to marry that girl". In 1969 they married in the Vandercook Missionary Church.
In 1973, he bought the music and games part of the business from Mr. Jessup and renamed it to Lakeland Amusement. His business covered several Counties in 3 States, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
He sold his business in the mid 1980's and then went to work at Larry's RV's in Jackson, Michigan for more than 20 years, followed by Somerset Hardware and Menards until fully retiring in 2013.
He and Joyce became "snowbirds" in 2013 and then moved full time in 2019, selling the home in Vandercook they had lived in for 50 years and raised their daughter Kristin.
He was a special man, who loved God, his family and his friends. He was loyal to all in his life. He loved carpentry, skills learned from his father. His favorite wood was oak.
He loved traveling and camping. Multiple trips to Colorado, Hawaii,Carribean, Mexico and Alaska combined with camping trips to all the State Parks of Michigan and Indiana. Some trips with family and others with special friends. He loved Cedar Point and Disney, especially anything that defined itself as a Roller Coaster.
He refurbished his first Jukebox that he purchased as a teenager and brought it to Florida when he moved, along with all his favorite 45's records. He was playing these songs on his Juke Box the afternoon before he passed.
He lived for his wife and daughter. He always laughed at their daughter's antics of dancing to the theme song of the TV show "Mash" with a Happy Meal Halloween bucket from McDonald's, upside down on her head. She would do this every time she would hear the song.
He will be deeply missed by all those who were close to him.
In Tom's memory, those who wish to donate, please consider gifts to the Alzheimer's Association, The National Bechet's Association or Wounded Warriors.
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