Michael Mathis

Michael Lynn Mathis, 44, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001, in Bangkok, Thailand.

He was born Jan. 31, 1957, in Wurszburg, Germany, son of Billie Gene and Oralea Prater Mathis.

Mathis grew up in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was a graduate of Richland High School. He received a bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State University, master's degree from Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas, and a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Ark.

He taught at Southwest Texas State, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and the University of Central Arkansas at Conway, Ark., and was a tenured professor. Mathis was an aquatic biologist, and was on an extended sabbatical touring the world.

Survivors include his mother of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Ronald Mathis of Springfield, Mo.; and a sister, Joy Ellington of Springdale, Ark.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. Friday.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kenneth Mathis officiating. Burial will be in Baker Cemetery at Marble Hill, Mo.