Paul Mathews

Paul D. Mathews, 84, of Lantern Lane, died Tuesday, December 10 at Hinkle Hospice House. A celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 pm Friday, December 13 at Tyro United Methodist Church, by the Rev. Randy Foster. A private burial will be held. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Thursday at Davidson Funeral Home. Mr. Mathews was born July 25, 1929 in Richmond, IN to Walter Ray Mathews and Mary Brumfiel Mathews. He was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he served as traveling secretary for Lambda Chi Alpha. He founded SII Dry Kiln in Lexington in 1969, serving as President until his retirement in 2004. His company was recognized as one of the top 25 fastest growing companies in the Triad area of North Carolina. Mr. Mathews was recognized as a small business leader by the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce and was well known in the hardwood lumber industry throughout the US. Mr. Mathews served on the Indianapolis 500 Committee, and was the state chairman and national board member for the American Cancer Society Golf Tournament. He was a past President of Sapona Country Club. He also was the youngest life master of the American Contract Bridge League. His parents, his son, Thomas J. Mathews, his brother, T. James Mathews, and his grandson, Taylor Mathews, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Buck Mathews, his son, Daniel Ray Mathews and wife, Elizabeth, of Lexington; his daughter, Paula Mathews Turlington and husband, Mike, of Lexington; his grandchildren, Brian Turlington and wife, Jennifer, Greg Turlington and wife, Laura, Ben Mathews and wife, Whitney, Mary Mathews, and Meg Holshouser and husband, Michael; and his great grandchildren, Grace and Emma Turlington, Rory Mathews, Max Holshouser, and Seth Turlington. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro NC 27407, Family Services of Davidson County, PO Box 607, Lexington NC 27293 or to the donor’s favorite charity.