Gary Alton Mathews, 65, of Toledo, Ore., died May 29, 2009 in Toledo.

He was born March 15, 1944 to Thomas Alton and Vanese Barker Mathews in Ogden, Utah.

From 1963 to 1966, he served as a missionary to Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1970, he received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He earned a Master of Recreation in community school leadership in 1975 from Brigham Young University.

On Nov. 14, 1972, he married Sharon Libbey Williams in Manti Utah. He spent his career as an elementary school teacher, first with the Alaska State Operated Schools in Nondalton and Metlakatla. He then worked for 31 years with the Lincoln County School District, teaching in Eddyville, Siletz and Lincoln City. He retired from teaching in June 2006.

He was an active part of the community, involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a scoutmaster, cub master, committee chairman and in other positions. He also worked with the Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (S.M.I.L.E.), a program through Oregon State University, which he co-taught for many years at Siletz. Additionally, he was a past president of the Oregon Coast Reading Association.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served as a bishop for the Newport Ward from 1978 to 1983.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Vanese Mathews and brother, Dennis Black Mathews.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Libbey Williams Mathews; children, Benjamin (Sonia) Lynn Mathews, Nathan (Sallee) Williams Mathews, Libbey (Erick) Mathews Chuy, Joel (Becky) Andrew Mathews, Kyle Alton Mathews and Beth Mathews; siblings, Ilene Mathews Shelton, Ruth Mathews, Thomas Frederick Mathews, Lorin Barker Mathews, Lydia Mathews, Ann Mathews Schmoldt and Susan Mathews Landry; and grandchildren, Katrina Mathews, Samuel Benjamin Mathews, Sarah Mathews, Jacob Raul Chuy, and Aubrey Lynn Mathews.

A viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2229 NE Crestview Drive in Newport. A funeral will follow at 10 a.m. at the church, with Bishop Brian Hanna officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the “Lincoln County/Gary A. Mathews” memorial scholarship fund through any branch of U.S. Bank.

Affordable Burial and Cremation in Newport is handling arrangements.