Final Salute

Gordon Browning Matthews Obituary

Gordon Browning Matthews, age 81, of White House, Tennessee passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Gordon was born June 25, 1937 in Livingston, Tennessee to the late William Bryant Matthews and Hattie Ann Amelia Savage Matthews.

Gordon enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1956. He served 24 years in the U.S. Navy Seabees which included two tours of duty in Vietnam. His battalion, NMCB-53, was issued the Presidential Unit Citation for their extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty during the Tet Offensive. He was also deployed to Naples, Italy; Sigonella, Sicily and Bermuda.

Gordon was named after Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning. His name was proposed by an influential person in his childhood, his grandfather, the late Tennessee State Senator William Jasper Matthews.

While in the Navy, Gordon mastered the Italian language in which he remained fluent in the duration of his life. He enjoyed coaching youth sports, visiting family, vacationing at the lake and spending time with his friends. Gordon was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Gina Matthews; two sons, James (Ashlee) Matthews and Sam Matthews; grandson, Aiden; sister Jenny (Tom) Key of Livingston, Tennessee; sister-in-law Beryl Reid Matthews of Cookeville, Tennessee; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers: Lloyd, Russell, Benton, Deloy, Bill and Ted Matthews; sister, Sue Loftis.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 12:00 PM in the chapel of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in White House, Tennessee. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM in Middle Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 14, 2019 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Friends and family will serve as Pallbearers.