Verlyn Mathews

Verlyn Gordon Mathews

Born January 9th, 1935- Died June 5th, 2020

Verlyn Gordon Mathews, age 85, died June 5th, 2020 surrounded by his family, after battling dementia in the later years of his life.

Verlyn was born to Ellis and Nina Mathews in Delta, Colorado.  He was the youngest out of six children: three brothers and two sisters.  He graduated from Delta Highschool in 1953. At the age of 22, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Holloman AFB in New Mexico, where he served two years from 1957 to 1959 and stayed active within the reserves until 1963. During his military service Verlyn met his friend Audie Storey, whom he remained as a close friend and an important part of his life.

In 1974 he met and fell in love with his sweetheart Theresa (Keithley)-Shipp, at one of Verlyn’s favorite skating spots, the Skateland roller rink. Later they would be married on June 9th of 1975. They would have celebrated 45 years of marriage on June 9, 2020. Verlyn was an outgoing person, a true inspiration to others, always had a sense of humor and was quite a jokester, and always hard working to take care of his family.

Some of Verlyn’s first jobs included working with sheet metal, the foundry, and also cooked at Gay Johnsons for a short time, along with various jobs until he then went on to learn plumbing and spent 23 years of his later career as a plumber from 1974 to 1997 for the school district 51.

Verlyn was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and served faithfully within the church community.  He enjoyed several activities such as bowling, roller skating, fishing, metal detecting, watching his favorite team the Broncos, and loved to sing and play musical instruments such as the piano and guitar.  Verlyn loved music so much that eventually he would join the Barber Shop Chorus for a short time after retirement.

Verlyn is preceded in death by his son Brian (deceased 2013).  Verlyn is survived by his wife Theresa, Leah Mathews, (Brian’s wife), His son Douglas, and his wife Dawn; his two stepsons, Mark Shipp and his wife Dena, and Allen Shipp and his wife Dawna. Verlyn is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews from his family line.

Verlyn or also known as “Verly” will be extremely missed and he is well loved by all who have known him.

We would like to thank the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HopeWest Hospice of Grand Junction, and Mantey Heights for their services regarding helping care for Verlyn through his later years.

Memorial donations can be made to HopeWest Hospice of Grand Junction