Ralph Carl Matthews of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, died Tuesday morning, March 27, 2012, in the Robert Dole Veterans Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 80 years.

Ralph Carl Matthews was born on July 12, 1931, in Stigler, Oklahoma, to Rose Matthews. He grew up in Stigler attending Stigler Public Schools. In 1948 he entered the United States Army serving throughout the United States, Germany, Libya and in Vietnam. In 1966 he was transferred to Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, and served there until his retirement in 1968. He married Vivian Nutt on September 17, 1952, in Blackwell and following his retirement from the military they moved to Deer Creek to make their home. He then worked for the Wilson Equipment Company before working for the Deer Creek-Lamont Public Schools as a janitor and bus driver. He retired in 1986 and they continued to make Deer Creek their home. His wife preceded him on November 14, 1994. He enjoyed fishing and taking his family of fishing expeditions. He also enjoyed hunting, spending time with his family and hanging out at the Deer Creek Co-op.

He is survived by a daughter, Patricia Hurst of Blackwell; a son Randall Matthews and wife Ana of Moundridge, Kansas; three grandchildren, Lindsey Matthews of Orlando, Florida, Ryan Bellin of Blackwell and Aaron Bellin of Oklahoma City; six step-grandchildren, Sydney, D. J., Brandon, Koby, Raven and Liv; and three great grandchildren, Preston, Jack and Chance Bellin.

He was also preceded in death by his mother, and a brother, Jewel Matthews.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 30th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Robert Johnson of the Tabernacle in Blackwell, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow in the Bayard Cemetery in Deer Creek.

Casketbearers will be Rick Aldrich, Ryan Bellin, Aaron Bellin, Maxie Williams, Warren Moore and Rick Hoemann.

Memorials in his honor can be made to Oklahoma Medical Research for diabetes research or to the Wounded Soldier Fund at the Robert Dole Veterans Hospital in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.