Harold Frederick Matthies, Jr.

 Harold Frederick “Fred” Matthies Jr., of Rowlett, Tx, passed away on February 16, 2025 after a brief but brutal fight with colon cancer. He was 81 years old. 

 Born on August 16, 1943 to Harold Frederick Sr. and Alice Matthies, Fred grew up in San Antonio, Tx with his younger brother, Charlie, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends nearby. Fred graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960, where he excelled academically and was active in ROTC. He went on to study business at Draughn’s College of Business. After graduating with an associates degree in business, Fred started his career at McDougal Carnahan as a buyer.

 Fred met the love of his life, Annette, and they married on December 9, 1967. During their 57 years of marriage, they had one daughter, Amy Louise.

 Fred was in the Air Force Reserves and was called up for active duty in 1968. He was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in White Sands, New Mexico, where he was a radio operations specialist.

 After completing his duty to his country and being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Fred returned home where he began working for Rubbermaid Inc. For the next 28 years, he would build an impressive career with several transfers which took him and his family from Seguin, Tx to Germantown, Tn, The Woodlands, Tx, and then finally to Rowlett, Tx. Fred’s dedication and passion for his work resulted in numerous promotions, awards, and the opportunity to travel the world. Before his retirement in 2006, Fred oversaw all sales to the military, worldwide.

 Fred was not only a hard worker. He also knew how to play hard. He was an avid fisherman and loved to play golf. His business trips and vacations took him to many places where he had the opportunities to do what he loved. From fishing trips to Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and across the United States, to playing golf at many of the top courses nationwide, Fred made many great memories with friends and family doing what he loved.

 Another passion that Fred possessed was that of cooking. From smoking meats on his BBQ pit to fish frys, to making tamales, there wasn’t much he couldn’t do in the kitchen. One of his greatest joys came from making food and sharing it with his family and friends. He had a rule that every holiday needed to have at least three meats on the menu so everyone could enjoy something they liked. And not a birthday went by without Fred asking you what you wanted him to cook for you for your birthday meal. 

 But Fred’s greatest enjoyment and love came from spending time with his family and friends. He was a dedicated husband to his wife, Annette, for 57 years, a proud father to Amy, and a loving grandfather to his three grandsons, Nick, Jack, and Sam. Fred was strong willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, trustworthy, and brave. He was full of knowledge he had gained through all of his life experiences. He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them – and if you knew him, you knew it.

 Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Sr. and Alice Matthies, son in law, John Wood, his beloved grandson, Jack Frederick Wood, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 He is survived by his wife, Annette Matthies, daughter, Amy Grigg, her husband, Scott Grigg, grandsons, Nick and Sam Wood, brother, Charles Matthies, his wife, Alice, God daughter, Toni Hans, dear cousin, Kenneth Hans, and many other family members from both sides of his family, who he loved dearly.

 While he will be deeply missed, his family finds peace and comfort in knowing he is now with our Lord and Savior and reunited with those who have passed before us.

 Visitation will be held at Charles W Smith and Sons, 2343 Gage Rd, Lavon, Tx, on Monday, February 24th at 10:30am. Graveside service and burial immediately following at Lakeview Cemetery at 11:30am.