Donald Matthews |
| Posted 2009-09-08 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ November 8, 2006. B8 Donald Matthews of Wickenburg passed away Oct. 23 in Cockeysville, Md., from complications of Parkinsons's disease. He was born in Sparks, Md., on January 31, 1928. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Jean Harrington Matthews, daughter Lynda M. Steuart, sons David S. Matthews and D. Scott Mathews, brothers Jack Matthews and Thomas Matthews, sister Margaret Miller, and grandchildren Devon, Taylor, Eliza, Lucy and Graham. Donald attended Old Sparks High School, and Salisbury College. A long-term resident of Wickenburg, Don was born and raised on the family farm in Sparks, Md., an original land grant. In addition to working the farm and plowing the fields with mules, he was an honor student and competitive athlete through both high school and college. He married Jean Harrington, his high school sweetheart, in 1949, and was a devoted father and active in the community. A Cub Scout leader from 1959 to 1962, Boy Scout assistant leader from 1963 to 1966 (the Sparks Glencoe Troop 485), he also participated in the Baltimore County Recreational Council in coaching baseball, soccer and junior wrestling as well as managed the Hereford teen center dances. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and was an avid tennis player and horseman. In 1960 Don started Explosive Experts, Inc., which grew into a successful drilling and blasting firm operating in the Mid-Atlantic region (five states). As an outgrowth of this business, he later acquired and operated the Blue Mount Quarry in White Hall, Md. In 1997 Don retired and sold the company to a group of employees. The firm continues to be run successfully under the name Explosive Experts, Inc. In 1974 Don, along with several others in the explosives business, founded the International Society of Explosives Engineers where, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors, he was acting president from 1980 to 1883. During his tenure as president, Don traveled the world extensively promoting the organization and the controlled use of explosives. A constant contributor to the organization, Don started the internal explosives magazine for which he continued to write feature articles for many years. The international Society of Explosives Engineers is now in over 90 countries with over 4,500 active business members. Don Matthews was also active in the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Associated Sub-contractors, Baltimore Chapters, where he served on various committees. Upon his retirement, Don and Jean began spending most of their time in Wickenburg, riding, traveling, and working on their home. While originally a second home, Wickenburg now became their main residence where they invested in the town's history, restoring the block bordered by Yavapai and Frontier Street, which includes the Old Mine Supply and Original Chinese Laundry buildings. They also participated in local activities and hosted riding events. One of Don's hobbies was his dog Laz, a giant schnauzer that won his championship before the age of 1 and two Best of Breed awards a few years later. In 1997 Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. As his disease progressed, Don kept track of the symptoms and treatments, culminating in 2005 with the publication of his book, “Living with an Intruder Named Parkinson,” an analysis of the disease from the patient's perspective. Many of these books have been donated to medical schools and organizations to help others understand the effects of this disease. Don is also the holder of several patents for medical devices, the developments of which were prompted by his lifelong attitude: “There must be a better way.” A celebration of his life was held Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Friends Meeting House, Quaker Bottom and Priceville Roads, Sparks, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to Parkinson's Outreach Education Fund, Johns Hopkins Park Center, 601 N. Caroline St., Baltimore, MD 21287 c/o Rebecca Dunlap. |
Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.
Questions About This Project?