Byron Mathis

Cherokee-Funeral service for Byron will be Friday, September 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Cherokee First Baptist Church. Viewing will be Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Byron O'Neal Mathis was born on April 27, 1958 in Shelby, Mississippi to Belvie and Betty Mathis. He lived in Mississippi until 1971, when the family decided to relocate to Kansas. Byron attended South Barber High School graduating in the class 1977. He joined the Army/National Guard and served six years. Shortly after graduating he met his beloved wife, Carolyn Kay Coontz and moved to Cherokee, Oklahoma and started their life together. Byron and Carolyn have been blessed with three children, Steven 38, Stacey 36 and Jamie 33.

In his early years he enjoyed bowling with friends, being a cub master for boy scouts and helping friends with any projects. His passion was fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with family, friends, and especially grandkids who meant the world to him. He was a mechanic for many years, and in 1997 he started working for James Crabtree Corrections Facility in Helena, Oklahoma as an officer working his way up to Maintenance Department. He spent fifteen years there and transferred to Bill Johnsons Corrections Facility, where he worked for five years as Maintenance Supervisor and was recently promoted to Maintenance Administrator. He loved his job and was dedicated to helping others.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother-in-law.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Cherokee; son, Steven of Cherokee; daughter and son-in-Law, Stacey Mathis and Jason Voth of Cherokee; daughter and son-in-Law, Jamie and Robert Waggoner of Lamont; six grandkids, Caity Mathis, Michelle Penoyer, Preston Waggoner, Mason Voth, Rilynn Mathis and Maddox Voth; five sisters, Barbara Pardee of Thaxton, Mississippi; Tracy Walls and husband, Jeff of Cleveland, Mississippi; Teresa Jones and husband, Danny of Ashdown, Arkansas; Rita McGovern and husband, George of Las Vegas, Nevada; Scottie Lowery and husband, Mike of Saltillo Mississippi; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be given to Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center through the funeral home.