Cannon Gary Mathews, 81 (Oct. 22, 1938- June 16, 2020), also known at the fire hall as “Slick”, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 16, 2020. Gary was a retired Birmingham Fireman and graduate of Woodlawn High School.
There will be a memorial service Friday, June 19 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Trussville at 10:30 AM to honor his life.
Gary was preceded in death by first wife, Ann Almon Mathews; son, Lee Mathews; brother, Bo Mathews; sister, Norma Jean Tate; and parents, Cannon and Gertrude Mathews.
Gary, also known as “Papa”, is survived by son, Jay Mathews (Lisa) and granddaughters, Julie Reynolds (Alex), Melissa Peterson (Conner), and Leigh Ann Mathews; son, Todd Mathews (Jana) and grandsons, Blake and Chase.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Delores Sewell Mathews and her son, Anthony Riccio (Terri) and grandsons, Cannon and Grant; son, John Riccio (Renee) and grandchildren, Sal, Mario, and Marissa; son, Steve Riccio (Farrah) and grandchildren, Ally, Josh, Lauren.
In the summer of 1998, Gary attended a prayer breakfast and heard the testimony of one of his heroes, Jeremiah Castille. After much prayer and soul searching, Gary made a public profession of faith in the good news of God’s gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the years since that time, he grew in that faith by getting involved at First Baptist Church of Trussville and found great joy reading the word of God, fellowshipping with his Sunday School, and participating in a small group Bible Study. Gary would say with great confidence and humility that though his sin was great, God’s grace was greater.
Gary spent his last day on earth doing something he loved, tending to a beautiful garden. He was so pleased with how well it was doing! He loved coaching sports, following his grandchildren, and had a special love for fishing, golf, and Briarwood Christian School football.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26 ESV)
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:11–13 ESV)
The family asks that donations be made in Gary’s honor to the First Responders Children’s Foundation (https://1strcf.org/) in lieu of flowers.