Bob came into this world as the fourth child of Virgil Dale and Hannah (McKinney) Matthews on November 7, 1927 in Muskogee, OK, and died on Sunday, March 13, 2016 in Oklahoma City. As a young child of only 5, he began to sell newspapers to help support the family during the depression and he worked until he was 80. After serving in the Army, he returned to OG&E in Muskogee where he had worked part-time during high school. With his degrees from OSU in Electrical Engineering, he continued in the field, working for Osborne Electric and Cook Electric in Oklahoma City, before starting his own business, Electrical Materials Representatives, in 1982, which he continued until a few years ago. In 1949, the partnership of "Bob and Jewel" began when he met Jewel Weatherbee, this partnership lasting 50 years until Jewels death in 1999. Little did they know how they would come to influence generations through their example of a Godly home and Godly relationship. After their first daughter was born, they began to look for a church to raise their young family inthat church was Greystone Presbyterian. They soon became an integral part of the church, working with the youth group. And when they built their new home, they decided they needed a place for the youth to come, a safe place and a fun place. So they built The Basement. It was not unusual over the next 45 years to have "kids" of all ages (and their kids too) to come play pool or ping pong, fellowship, sing, get a hug or share a meal. About this same time they became interested in the future of our country and they became involved in the Republican Party in Oklahoma County and the state, an interest now in its third generation with the candidacy of Bobs youngest granddaughter, Robyn Matthews. The Gockels, Millers and Snipes also became lifelong friends and co-laborers. Out of these interests, they became "parents" not only to their two daughters, Sharie and Janet, but to hundreds of others. Some lived with them, others just came for a season, but all left changed by Gods love through Bob and Jewel. In 2004, Bob married Elwynne Price, also of Muskogee, who was also recently widowed. Theirs was a very special love and lasted for 10 years, before Elwynnes passing just a year ago. Bob is survived by his daughter, Sharie Matthews Steves and husband Gary Steves and granddaughter Robyn Matthews, daughter Janet Matthews Moore and her husband Randy Moore, grandson Matt Gallegly and wife Stefanie, and sons Grayson and Benjamin Robert, grandson Jay Gallegly and wife Laura, and son Maddox, granddaughter Jenifer Gallegly Pritchard and husband Chris and daughter Wren Estelle. And scores of others who will always call him Daddy. Special thanks to Janet and Randy Moore for caring for Bob at their home during his last year. Viewing will be Friday, 9am-9pm, with family present from 5:30-7:30pm at Mercer-Adams. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 11:00am at Mercer Adams Funeral Home in Bethany. All are welcome to attend the Celebration. Memorial Service Saturday, March 19, 2016 11:00 AM Mercer-Adams Chapel 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008