Howard Leon Mathis
When I’m Gone
When I come to the end of my journey and I travel my last weary mile,
just forget if you can, that I ever frowned and remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken; remember some good I have done,
Forget that I ever had heartache and remember I’ve had loads of fun.
Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered and sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles and won ere the close of the day.
Then forget to grieve for my going, I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers and remember the place where I lay.
And come in the shade of evening when the sun paints the sky in the west,
Stand for a few moments beside me and remember only my best.
Howard Leon Mathis passed away peacefully on August 23, 2019. Howard was born October 8, 1943 to Nellie (Marie) Mathis and Clyde Leon Mathis in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The family moved to Clearlake Oaks, CA in the fall of 1946 where he attended 1st through 11th grade. The family then moved to Ukiah, CA in 1960 where he attended 12th grade and graduated from Ukiah High School. He enlisted in the U S Navy October 2, 1961 and served 3 years. His service included time on the USS Bon Homme Richard Aircraft Carrier as a machinist mate during the Vietnam war.
After leaving the service he came home and married Sharon Malicoat. Together they had two daughters Terrie Marie and Donna Louise. That marriage dissolved and sometime later he reconnected with Dorace Garner with whom he had gone to school. They were married January 1, 1974 in Clearlake Oaks, CA and made their home in Sacramento, CA. In December of 1974 they welcomed a son Orin Randolph to the family. They moved several times throughout their marriage due to his work and made a final move to Sparks, NV in 2017.
Howard spent his career life as a journeyman diesel mechanic and his work took him all over the world. His mother always said Howard had itchy feet and she wasn’t wrong. After a health scare in 2002 he took an early retirement and spent time traveling with his wife Dorace. He enjoyed reading, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the VFW and the Free Mason’s.
Howard was preceded in death by his father Clyde, mother Marie and daughter Donna. He is survived by his wife Dorace, daughter Terrie, son Orin, grandchildren Christopher, Erin, Amber, Glen and James, great grandchildren Rylan, Selah, and Glen Jr., sister Helen, and two nephews Albert and Gordon.