Funeral services for Ronald Dale “R.D.” Mathews, age 86, of Brownwood, will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 7, 2020 in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Bangs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home tonight from 6:00 until 8:00.

R.D. passed from this life on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 in a Fort Worth hospital.

R.D. was born on July 5, 1933 in Winchell to Emmit L. and Addie (Watson) Mathews.  He went on to serve his country in the United State Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Corporal.  While in Korea, R.D. was injured and awarded the Purple Heart Medal.  Following his military service, R.D. married Yvonne Brown on February 27, 1958 in Brownwood.

In 1965, R.D. joined Jesse Ratliff at Ratliff Steel Company.  He went on to work with the Ratliff family for the next 52 years.  R.D. was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.  He loved time with his family, working with metal and ornamental iron, loved to read, preferred being outdoors and playing solitaire on his computer daily.  He was a member of the American Legion.

R.D. is survived by his wife of 62 years, Yvonne, of Brownwood, son, Jody Mathews and wife Christie, daughter Stacy Lowman and husband George; five grandchildren, Dustin Tabor, Carson Mathews, Cambridge Mathews, Christy Quinn and husband Travis, and George Lowman, VI; four great-grandchildren, a brother, Burton Mathews and 17 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Russie Pittman and husband Burdell, and a brother A.L. Mathews and wife Earlene.

The family requests memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Condolences, memories and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net