James Sidney Matthews, 86, died July 7, 2024. A visitation with family present will be 6-7:30 Friday, July 12, 2024 at Strode Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.


James was born June 20, 1938 to S.W. and Jennie (Smith) Matthews. He attended school, at Diamond Valley Community Center, Glencoe Public Schools and he was a 1956 graduate of Braman High School.


James met his future bride Carol Ann Purdy on a blind date in July 1955 and they married on July 11, 1956 at Diamond Valley Church in Stillwater. He served in the United States Marine Corp with S2 Intelligence from January 1958 through December 1959.


They welcomed son Rod on August 31, 1958, son Mark on January 12, 1961 a daughter Deborah on March 5, 1962 and son Michael on March 1, 1965. He joined the team at Sooner Equipment Company in Oklahoma City in June of 1968.


Jim and Carol Ann became part of the Ditch Witch Dealer Family in Billings, Montana January 1971 and moved to Southern Indiana from March 1972 through May 1976. Purchasing Western Montana 1977 and Idaho 1988. During his tenure he served on numerous dealer advisory panels for Charles Machine Works.


He was a member of the Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs Dept in Helena, Montana from 1977-1992. They retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona in 1994 and Jim played slow pitch softball with numerous teams in the Phoenix area and was crowned Winter World Sr. Champions in Las Vegas, Nevada in November 2003.


Jim was expert rifleman, shotgun and trick shot artist. An avid hunter, fisherman and outdoor sportsman, a love he passed to his children.


James is preceded in death by both parents, brother Vance Odell and sisters Marie Poole and Florence Lynch; granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann and Ericka Rae (father Mark).


Jim is survived by his wife; his sons, Rod of Boise, Idaho, Mark of Helena, Montana, and Mike of Stillwater, Oklahoma; daughter Deborah (Mike Swika) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Chris (Sara), Erin, Meghan (Jared), Gwen (Jason), Kyle, Tony (April), Jen (Dustin), Tyler (Ali); as well as his great grandkids, Austyn, Summer (Brexton), Hunter (Darrel), Jason (Britney), Alex, Tariq, Abbey, Josalyn, Aemelia, Aiden, Christian, Hayden, Sysilee, Odin, Makenzee, Madisyn, Jack, Jace, Lily, Ayda, and Ackley; as well as his great-great grandchildren, Liam, Charlotte, Ezekiel and Pierclee.

Those wishing to honor James's memory may do so by contributing to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, New York 10306 or the Charity of your choice.

An online obituary may be viewed, and condolences left for the family, at www.StrodeFH.com