Richard A. Mathews

Richard A. Mathews, of Sparta, finally ran out of gas at 80 years old. He was born July 6, 1944 to Frederick William Mathews and Marie Beatrice (Kvistad) Mathews in Racine, WI. Richard was raised in Black River Falls WI, his father died in a truck accident in 1948.

Richard enlisted in the Army in 1962, and received an honorable discharge in 1968. He received commendations for outstanding service while stationed at Fort Bliss, TX.

While in Texas, Richard met and married Gayle Morrison. Eventually they moved back to Black River Falls, before settling in Cataract. Early on in life, he worked as a finance officer, repo-man, and floor manager at a roller rink in Texas. He later retired from Nelson Muffler, in Black River Falls.

Richard spent most of his free time riding motorcycles and drinking PBR, before trading in his Harley for 1941 Ford coupe. Richard won a few trophies pulling tractors, he was known as “The Purple Tractor Man”. He may have driven it to the bar, and even drove it to an event when the truck broke down on the way. He was a HOG chapter member, and ABATE of WI member, and card-carrying member of A-holes International. Richard was also a welder and fabricator. He skated in the 1981 Super Skate at High Roller in La Crosse.

Richard and Gayle had three children, Fred (Cindy) Mathews, Steven (Susan Bullen) Mathews, and Linda (James Vian) Mathews Vian; grandchildren, Tyler Wood, Trisha Abbott Mathews, Rebecka Mathews, Kylee Mathews, Tim Edmison, Kelsey Edmison, and Lauren Knower; and many great-grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald (Tex) Mathews; wife, Gayle Mathews; and daughter-in-law, Jeannie Mathews.

A Celebration of Life party will be held at R&R’s First & Last, in Black River Falls, on June 14, 2025, starting at noon. Please bring your memories, stories, Harleys, and old cars n’ trucks.

Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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