Joseph Mathews,

Joseph Leslie Mathews, Sr. of Allyn, Washington died at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Bremerton, Washington. He died of complications due to kidney disease. He was 62. Joseph was born August 13, 1941 in Pueblo, Colorado to Hugh and LaMar (Behrmann) Mathews. He married Margie J. Mathews (Reis) May 1, 1993 in Port Orchard, Washington. He graduated from Renton High School in Renton, Washington in 1959; and, graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington in 1963, with a BA in political science. Joe worked in the Tukwila Police Department from 1970- 1984 (finished as a sergeant); and, served as the Port Orchard Police Chief from 1984 - 1999. He was a founding member and the first president of the North Mason Rotary. he served more than 10 years on the Strategic Advisory Board of Cencom while he was police chief. He was a member of the Port Orchard Rotary. He volunteered with the Peninsula Work Relief Program after retirement. He also volunteered for the Emergency Management Office. He was appointed to the Mason County Civil Service Board in October of 2000. He was the chairman in 2002. He was a member of the Lakeland Village Men's Club. Served on the Lakeland Village board and served as head of security for the organization. In the 1960's, Joe was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He received a scholarship from the National Center for Education in Politics. He received the Outstanding Men's Drama Award. He was Reader of the House of Representatives. In the 1960's, he was a member of the: Parkway Democratic Club, parliamentarian 35th West Democratic Club Precinct Committeeman Retail Clerks International Union Professional & Technical Engineers Union Chairman, King County Credentials Committee - 1966 Co-Chairman, LBJ Campaign, 1964 Phil Delta Theta Fraternity Hobbies and interests: Golf, reading, vacationing in Mexico, and spending time with family and friends. His parents Hugh and LaMar Mathews and a half-sister Pat (Eaton) Kennedy, have preceded him in death. Joe is survived by his wife Margery Mathews of the Allyn, Washington family home; Son Joseph Leslie Mathews Jr. and his wife, Lisa Mathews, of Seven Lakes, North Carolina; daughter Kim McCarthy and her husband John of Port Orchard; step-daughters Ann Welsh and her husband Dan of Port Orchard, Shellie Algeo of Oak Harbor, Darcy Brown of Kent; brothers Hugh Mathews Jr. of Adkins, Texas (half brother), Edgar Eaton of Auburn, Washington (half brother). He is also survived by grandchildren: Joe and Lisa Mathews Jr.'s children (Kayla Mathews, Noah Mathews, Chelsea Ross, Morgan Ross, Ryan Ross); Kim and John McCarthy's children (Christopher McCarthy, Katie McCarthy; Shellie L. Algeo's children (Taylor Algeo, Madison Algeo); Ann and Dan Welsh's children (Aaron Welsh, Kevin Welsh, Michael Welsh). Visitations will be held Friday, January 30, 2004 from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 31, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. until the service. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 31, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at Rill Chapel's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Olympic Peninsula Kidney Center 2740 Clare Avenue Bremerton, Washington 98310