Richard McLean Matthews

After years of clipping friend’s pictures out of the newspaper, Richard McLean Matthews is ready to make his appearance in the obituaries.

Richard was born November 22, 1955 to William (Bill) and Joan McLean Matthews in Burley, Idaho. He was the second of six children - Paul, John, Susan, Mark and Donna. At the age of 11 he was involved in a horse-riding accident that forever changed his life and the lives of his family and friends. The resulting traumatic brain injury became a trial of faith that continued until the day he died on February 15, 2022. He graduated from Burley High School and especially treasured his time as manager for the basketball team.

He served in the Colorado Denver Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended Rick's College and later moved to Salt Lake City. While at a single adult dance he met Gaylene McDougal and they married in 1984. They had two children, Amelia and Benjamin and lived in West Jordan and Riverton, Utah.

After his mom died, Richard moved home to Burley to be his father’s companion. Together they spent hours driving around the local farms to see how the harvest was going and visit dear friends. After his dad passed Richard moved to a small apartment in the neighborhood he grew up in and loved every minute of it. He had a passion for accumulating World War II knowledge, especially when it came to the aircraft. Health challenges could not stifle his sense of humor. He loved telling jokes to anyone that would listen. If you knew Richard you are able to recite some of his favorite jokes by memory because you’ve heard them multiple times. Even in the same conversation. Richard’s dream was to be a farmer - mostly out standing in the field. When his children would visit, he would take them on a tour of the local farms like he did with his dad and tell them how the sugar beet, soy and potato crops were doing that year.

Richard is preceded in death by his ex-wife Gaylene, parents Bill and Joan, and siblings Paul and Donna. He is survived by his children Amelia (Indiana) and Benjamin (Utah) and siblings John (Molly) (Washington), Susan (California), and Mark (Tennessee).

A viewing will be held at Morrison Payne Funeral Home in Burley, Idaho on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 5-7 pm and a graveside service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11 am at Valley View Cemetery in Rockland, Idaho.

The family would like to thank those in the Burley 5th Ward for their years of friendship and service to Richard.

Because Richard was a master storyteller and we no longer have him to tell us his favorite stories, please share your favorite story of him with us in lieu of flowers. 

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