Clifford Houston Mathews Jr. passed away peacefully at home on December 31, 2023, at the age of 92. Clifford was born in Austin, Texas on August 3, 1931, to Clifford Houston Mathews Sr. and Opal May Johnson. He was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Elizabeth Brigid Mathews.

He is survived by his two sons, Glenn Houston Mathews and Paul Thomas Mathews and daughters-in-law, Taylor Mathews and Denise Mathews. Clifford was a proud grandfather to Gabriella Rose Mathews, Kristen Elizabeth Mathews and Glenn Houston Mathews Jr.

Clifford honorably served in the US Army, completed deployments in Germany, and received multiple medal awards for his high-risk, confidential assignments. He executed his orders and was such a great soldier that even his parents did not know of his exact whereabouts on several occasions. However, one such location he did tell everyone was his visit to the Molin Rouge in Paris where he met his lifelong soul mate by pure circumstance. He would never be the same after that encounter and his life was fulfilled by meeting his beautiful future bride. He continued to be a proud veteran upon completion of his service career and life experience.

He transitioned his work career into aerospace and electrical engineering that included top level security clearances, enabling him to be involved with stealth technology, Triton missile design and advanced nautical guidance. He traveled extensively throughout his life and would easily adapt to any environment he experienced. He was a true Texan at heart and loved his home state but lived life vigorously in Florida and California gaining numerous friends and colleagues during his time in these states.

His wisdom, strength, calm and ability to fix and handle most any situation will be greatly missed as the strong, unyielding patriarch of our family, who he always put first.

Donations can be made in Clifford Houston Mathews name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.