Lloyd Jacob Matthes

Lloyd Jacob Matthes, 86 years old, of Forest, Virginia, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on April 18, 2024. Born on November 30, 1937, in Mansfield, Ohio, he was the son of the late Herman Matthes and Alice Mcbride Matthes.

Jake was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sandra Schmickl Matthes and is survived by his children: Phillip Matthes (Pamela) of Evington and Rebecca Hopkins (Kevin) of Richmond; his grandchildren: Amanda Roberts (Gil) of Altavista, Anna Thacker (Travis) of Lynchburg, Benjamin Matthes (Tammy) of Lynchburg, Stephanie Mills (Trey) of Winchester, Stephen Hopkins of Richmond, and Melanie Hopkins of Savage, Minnesota; great-grandchildren: Ember, Aiden, Lillian, Ivy, Holden, Malcolm, Sage, and Scarlett; his siblings, Quentin Matthes (Nancy) of Winona Lake, Indiana, and Joyce Roden (Kenneth) of Longview Texas, along with many extended family members and loving friends throughout the world.

Dr. Matthes attended school at Bryan College (B.S.) and University of Tennessee (Ed.D.) then pursued his calling of teaching mathematics and coaching cross country and track at Ridgewood High School (Norridge, Illinois), Bryan College (Dayton, Tennessee), and Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia). Coach Matthes coached four national championship teams and numerous record-holding athletes.

Above all the trophies and honors our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach, professor, mentor, and friend received, his most coveted award was of hearing his Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” He will always be remembered as a wise, loving, and strong man who served the Lord faithfully.

A Service of Worship and Remembrance will be held on Monday, April 29, 224 at 1:00 p.m. at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church with Dr. David Weber, Senior Pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorial contributions be made to the Jake Matthes Cross Country Scholarship or the Frank J. Schmickl Mathematics Scholarship, both at Bryan College (Dayton, Tennessee).

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)