Lynda W. Mathis
Nov 14, 2025
Lynda W. Mathis - beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - passed away in November 2025, just before her 93rd birthday. Lynda lived an adventurous and full life alongside the love of her life, Ralph Mathis, her husband of 71 years. Lynda loved and was so proud of every member of the family, and she is greatly loved and missed by us all.
Born during the Great Depression in Stephenville, Texas, Lynda spent part of her childhood on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, during her father's active service in WWII. After the war, the family moved to her father's college posting in Magnolia, Ark., and later to Baton Rouge, La. Both parents taught school.
In 1954, Lynda earned a B.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. That same year Lynda met and married Texas A&M engineering graduate Ralph Mathis. Lynda and Ralph embarked on 71 years of marriage and worldwide adventures.
Their first year married, Lynda and Ralph were stationed at an Air Force base in Marianna, Fla., where daughter Caren was born. The family of three soon headed north to the territory of Alaska, driving the Alcan, destination Elmendorf Air Force Base; Ralph was called to duty during the Cold War. Two years later, Lynda gave birth to their son Jamie.
In 1957, driving south down the Alcan with now a toddler and baby, Lynda and Ralph transitioned from military to civilian life in Orange, Texas. Ralph was an engineer with Ohio Oil Company, aka Marathon. They were quickly transferred overseas to Tripoli, Libya. Lynda adapted to the challenges of raising a young family in Tripoli while Ralph was on a rotating work schedule in the Sahara Desert. Lynda made the most of their time there, organizing trips in the VW Beetle to the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, and teaching her children to swim in the azure blue waters of the Mediterranean. Due to limited medical facilities in Tripoli, Lynda traveled with their two children to Baton Rouge, where she gave birth to daughter Gayle. Ralph later joined them, and they flew back as a family to Libya.
Lynda was a force to be reckoned with - resourceful, determined, financially astute, budget minded, inquisitive and creative. Raising domestic arts to new heights, Lynda made new homes in a succession of places where the family moved for her husband's career with Marathon. After Libya, they moved to Lawrenceville, Ill. There, Lynda taught fourth grade at the local elementary school.
In 1967, Lynda and Ralph were transferred to Anchorage, Alaska. Lynda loved Alaska; she became an avid and mighty angler and loved getting out into the wilderness, organizing family camping, canoeing, hiking and fishing trips with her husband Ralph piloting the Cessna 180.
During the school year, Lynda substitute taught in the Anchorage School District, working her schedule around the activities of her three children. In winter - no matter the weather conditions - Lynda rallied the family for Saturday morning treks to the downhill ski slopes at Arctic Valley or Alyeska. Lynda avidly followed the Fur Rendezvous sled dog races - especially George Atla - and learned to "mush" at Anchorage Community College.
From 1974-1989, Ralph's career promotions took them to Lafayette, La.; Houston, Texas; Cork, Ireland; London, U.K.; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Houston, Texas. Lynda, fascinated with world traveling, embraced the cultural offerings of each of their destinations and new homes.
In 1990, Lynda and Ralph decided to return to Alaska for a third time, this time to retire in Anchorage. They designed and built a home on the Hillside, staying in one place. This was a time of community engagement for Lynda. She and Ralph joined St. John United Methodist Church, helping to lead a capital campaign for a major expansion of the education wing and adding a multipurpose area/gym. Lynda was a devoted member of Monday Morning Women study group; she was always striving to live her faith and appreciated her St. John friends, community and pastors.
Always a learner and teacher and dedicated to volunteering, Lynda earned certification to teach adults to read and worked with several adult students through the Anchorage Literacy Project. Lynda also trained and volunteered as a docent at the Anchorage Museum. Her service on the Salvation Army Booth Memorial Youth and Family Services Advisory Council was important to her, assisting with many initiatives, including a holiday airlift to rural villages. During the Iditarod, a longtime Alaskan enlisted Lynda to help cook at a roadhouse during the race, joining her passion for cooking and interest in "mushing."
Lynda was an avid gardener and grew beautiful big begonias that bloomed on the deck of their home on the Hillside and African violets that graced her kitchen windowsill. She had many hidden talents: accomplished seamstress, quilter, cake decorator and letter writer were just a few.
Lynda loved the holidays, cooking, baking and preparing gourmet delectable meals for the family she cherished.
In late summer 2025, Lynda and Ralph moved off the Hillside, relocating to Boulder, Colo., closer to their son and his family.
Lynda is survived by her husband, Ralph; children, Caren (Dan), Jamie (Cindy), Gayle (David); grandchildren, Rachel (Adam), Lana (Josh), Brenna Clairr (Chad), Bryce, Maris (Chris), Zea (Chase), Silas; and great-grandchildren, Lucas, Ciara and Declan. Lynda was predeceased by her older sister, Orleta, and is survived by her brother, Charles (Sylvia).
