John Robert Mathis

John R. (Jack) Mathis

Jack passed away on October 9, 2015 after an extended illness. He was born to Virginia Beaton on June 21, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Jack Beaton, passed away shortly before Jack was born. He spent five years in Omaha before moving to Council Bluffs, Iowa when his mother married Frank Mathis. Jack was later adopted by Frank. The family then moved to Denver, Colorado where he attended Regis College on a full scholarship. He received a BS in chemistry in 1956.

He went to work for Convair in Ft. Worth, Texas for three years before being convinced to move to Brigham City, Utah to be a chemical engineer at Thiokol. Except for a brief career change in 1966-1967, when he worked for Boeing in Seattle, Washington, he remained at Thiokol for the rest of his career. While there he worked on the Minuteman and Trident Missile programs and the Space Shuttle solid rocket motor booster program. He had a patent awarded to him during his time at Thiokol. He was also in the first group of civilians to be honored by NASA astronauts with the Silver Snoopy Award and was among those selected to view the first Space Shuttle launch in 1981. He retired from Thiokol in 1993.

He met the love of his life, Kathleen Jensen, while working at Thiokol. They were married on February 8, 1964. He had a lifelong love of trout fishing and trains. The family spent many a Saturday in the Ogden switchyard watching trains and eating McDonald's fries, and many summers were filled with trips to Pinedale, Wyoming or Grand Mesa, Colorado to go fishing. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of telling a story, and his never wavering love of the Denver Broncos. He was a lifelong Catholic and a long time member of St. Henry's Catholic Church in Brigham City where he served on several committees as well as the parish council. He was also an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector until his health forced him to retire from these duties.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Mathis; his father, Jack R. Beaton; his step-father, Frank Mathis; and his brother, Michael R. Mathis. He leaves behind his beloved wife of over 51 years, Kathy; his sister, Virginia Howshar of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and his children, John (Kari) Mathis of Anacortes, Washington, and Michelle Mathis of Ogden, Utah. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Joseph (JD) Mathis of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Aidan Mathis of Seattle, Washington; and Emily Mathis of Anacortes, Washington; as well as his sister-in-law, Karen Mathis, of Parker, Colorado and several nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be held on October 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm at St. Henry's Catholic Church, 382 S. 200 E., Brigham City. The family will be available at 6:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held on October 24, 2015 at 11:00 am at St. James the Just Catholic Church, 495 N. Harrison Blvd, Ogden. A luncheon will follow in the social center.

Graveside services will be held on October 24, 2015 at 3:00 pm at the Brigham City Cemetery Niche Wall, 300 E. 300 S., Brigham City.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Pioneer Care Center in Brigham City for taking such great care of Jack.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Jack Mathis to the new social hall building fund at St. Henry's. Checks may be mailed to St. Henry's, 382 S. 200 E., Brigham City, UT 84302.

"Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
RosarySt Henry's Catholic Church, Rosary
382 South 200 East
Brigham City, UT 84302
October 23, 2015
7:00 PM
ServiceSt. James The Just Catholic Church
1875 Monroe Blvd
Ogden, Utah 84401
October 24, 2015
11:00 AM
CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery
325 South 300 East
Brigham City, Utah 84302
October 24, 2015
3:00 PM