Thomas F. 'Hawkeye' Matthews Sr., 68

RIDGELY, Md. - Thomas F. "Hawkeye" Matthews Sr., of Ridgely, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at Talbot Hospice House, surrounded by family. He was 68.

Born Nov. 19, 1939, in Baltimore, Mr. Matthews was the son of the late Aubry Page and Elizabeth (Schroen) Matthews.

He grew up in Baltimore and after attending high school, entered into the U.S. armed services.

After serving a term in the Army, Mr. Matthews began driving a tractor trailer over the road for Rental Tools and Pantry Pride. In 1978 he was employed by Anne Arundel County Public Works in the Roads Division, where he worked his way up through the ranks to roads and maintenance supervisor for his division.

In 1984 he and his wife relocated with three of their children to Ridgely.

In 2001, after 22 years of service, Mr. Matthews retired from Anne Arundel County and focused his attention on his automotive business and his lifetime love and hobby of restoring classic cars and hot rods.

Mr. Matthews is survived by his wife of 28 years, Donna Matthews; five children, Thomas Matthews Jr. of Augusta, W.Va., Donna Clark of Berkley Springs, W.Va., Katrina Cohee and her husband Charles of Felton, Del., Donald Andrzejewski and his wife June of Arnold and Amanda McWilliams and her husband Bruce of Cambridge; six grandchildren, Jason, Laci, Richard, Maranda, Charles and Kailee; and a sister, Betty Smith and her husband Frank.

A memorial service for friends and family will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ridgely Church of the Brethern.

Officiating will be the Rev. Denzil Cheek.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.

Cremation was entrusted to the care of Mid Shore Cremation Center, Cambridge.