Larry Gene Matthews, son of the late Jack and Elsie Matthews was born on June 18, 1931 in Sikeston, Missouri and departed this life at the Golden Living Center in Dexter on Thursday morning November 17, 2011 at the age of 80 years.

Mr. Matthews was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter, Missouri. He was a retired salesman of the American Tobacco Company and worked as the Zoning Inspector for the City of Dexter for several years after his retirement. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was an avid fisherman the majority of life.

On June 17, 1950, he was united in marriage to Arabella Peggy Matthews. Mrs. Matthew survives in Dexter.

Other survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Greg Matthews and Barbara of Nixa, Missouri and Bryce Matthews and Sherry of Dexter, Missouri; by daughter-in-law, Melba Matthews of Springdale, Arkansas; by one brother, Lyman Matthews of Thousand Oaks, California; by six grandchildren, Morgan and Landon Matthews of Springdale, Arkansas, Amy and Lane Matthews of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Austin and Corbin Matthews of Dexter, Missouri; also by two great-grandchildren, Madilyn and Mason Dunn of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Randy Matthews; one sister, Irene Hunt, by five brothers, Jack Matthews, Reese Matthews, Joe Matthews, Jim Matthews, and Johnny Matthews.

Friends may call at the First United Methodist Church in Dexter from 10:00 until 11:00 P.M. Friday November 18, 2011.  Funeral services will then be conducted on Friday at 11:00 P.M. in the First United Methodist Church in Dexter with Rev. Mike Wood officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Fruitland, Missouri .

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Dexter.