[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF TED MATHIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the life and 
service of Northwest Florida's beloved Ted Mathis. The passing of this 
kind-hearted man and dedicated public servant will undoubtedly be felt 
throughout the entire Northwest Florida community.
   Mr. Mathis was born on February 5, 1932 in Bath, South Carolina. 
Following High School, he entered into the United States Navy, where he 
honorably served and quickly rose through the ranks. As a graduate with 
an engineering degree from the University of South Carolina and a 
retired Naval Officer, Mr. Mathis then joined NASA working in the field 
of research and development. While there, he supported the Scout Launch 
Vehicle Program and invented a cooling system for payloads. His career 
eventually brought him to Florida's great Gulf Coast region, where he 
and his family became part of the Crestview community. Mr. Mathis 
continued to support our Nation's Armed Forces as a civil service 
engineer at Eglin Air Force Base and became active in local government 
and a member of the First United Methodist Church. It became evident 
the dedication and love Mr. Mathis had for bettering the local 
community and the lives of those around him during his years in 
Northwest Florida, especially during his tenure as City Council Member 
and four terms as Mayor of Crestview.
   A loving and devoted family man, full of passion, generosity, and 
love for God and country, Mr. Mathis is remembered fondly by those he 
has served with throughout his life and those whose lives have been 
forever touched. We are truly blessed to have had such a great public 
servant dedicate his life to the people of Northwest Florida and our 
great Nation.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to honor the life of Ted Mathis. My wife Vicki and I offer 
our prayers and sincerest condolences to his wife of 63 years, Joyce; 
children, Gaye Mathis Helms and husband, Dennis, Joy Mathis, Greg 
Mathis and wife, Evelyn, Karen Mathis, and Steve Mathis and wife, 
Deana; nine grandchildren, Christopher Mathis, Kyle Hyden, Keith Helms, 
Kasey Helms, Kelly Batson, Lindsey Johnson, Matthew Mathis, Landis 
Mathis-Booker and Erin Johnson; eight great-grandchildren; and the 
entire Mathis family. Mr. Mathis will truly be missed by all who were 
fortunate enough to know him.

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