Richard D. Mathis

Richard Dean Mathis, 77, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, while surrounded by loving family members. Dick was born March 31, 1939 to Loerine “Rene” and Elvis Mathis in Lefors, Texas. The family moved to Hooker, OK, in 1948 where he grew up, graduating from Hooker High School with the class of 1957.

Dick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and served in California as a Military Policeman for 3 years. After completing his tour of duty with the Marines, Dick enrolled in Panhandle A&M College where he played football for a year. He then served on the Amarillo Police Department as a patrol officer for 3 years. He left the police department to finish his education and graduated from Panhandle State in May of 1967. He then rejoined the Marine Corps and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Dick served in Vietnam as an artillery officer from August 1968 until October 1969. While serving he was wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart. After returning home from Vietnam he began a career with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms as a Special Agent. While with ATF Dick was assigned to offices in Oklahoma City and Denver. Dick retired from ATF in 1994 after 24 years of service as the Resident Agent in Charge of the Rocky Mountain office in Denver. He has continued to live in Golden, Colorado since retiring and enjoyed playing many rounds of golf with his friends.

Dick raised two strong families, served his country well both in military and civilian Law Enforcement duties, and was an active member and Deacon of the Applewood Baptist Church. A firm believer in the redeeming nature of Jesus Christ, he loved God, his family, his country, and the Marines with all of his heart and it showed in the way he lived his life and served others. A beloved husband, loving father and wonderful grandpa with a generous soul, he will be sorely missed.

Dick is survived by his wife Janet Mathis of the home; children, Linda Peacock of La Junta, Leslie Stocker of Seattle, WA, Richard Lee Mathis of Erie, Travis Mathis of Atlanta, GA, and Brandon Mathis of Denver. Brothers, Robert Mathis of Belle Vista, AR, and William Mathis of Colorado Springs. Grandchildren, Ryan Peacock, Kaitlyn Stock, Leslie Clouse, Shane and Alexander Mathis, Caleb and Audrey Stocker, Levi and Kyla Mathis and Aspen Mathis, two great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 2:30 PM at the Applewood Baptist Church, 11200 W 32nd Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO.

A graveside burial service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Hooker Cemetery located in Hooker, Oklahoma.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org, or to the Honor Flight at www.honorflight.org.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.