Clay Matthews

John Clay Matthews Jr., 66, of Jackson passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 23, 1944, in Sikeston, Mo., to John Clay and Lois Hammond Matthews Sr. He was raised in Sikeston and was a 1962 graduate of Sikeston Senior High School.

Until the late 1980s, Clay was an on-site superintendent in commercial construction. In 1989, he established Matthews Construction Co., building homes and cottages in Missouri and Kentucky. In 1992, he became employed at Lonestar Alternate Fuels in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 2009 as a general foreman.

Clay attended Haynes Chapel Methodist Church near Burfordville and was an avid outdoorsman. In recent years he took great pleasure in developing a small farm near the church.

Loving survivors include a daughter, Martha Ann (Jim) Stallings and children Alexander, Catherine and Zachary of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his mother of Sikeston; sister, Rita (Harry) Philip of Jackson; brother, Rodney Matthews of Sikeston; and nephew, Matt Wiethop of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Clay "Jayce" Matthews III; and his father, both in 2007.

Friends may call Monday, Sept. 6, from noon until the time of service, at Haynes Chapel Methodist Church near Burfordville. At 1 p.m., the Rev. Jerry Sander will officiate a memorial service. Directions from Jackson: Take Highway 72 west to Highway 34. Take Highway 34 approximately five miles toward Burfordville. Do not turn into Burfordville; instead, turn onto Route UU. Travel 2.5 to three miles, watching for County Road 354 on the north side of UU. Haynes Chapel Church and Cemetery are at the junction of Route UU and County Road 354.

The family suggests that memorials take the form of contributions to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.