Charles "Jim" James Matthews
January 19, 1935 ~ October 7, 2024
Charles "Jim" James Matthews, 89, Retired Minister and Clinical Social Worker, died Monday, October 7, 2024.Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at First United Methodist Church.Jim was a clinical social worker for the Community Mental Health Center in Sedgwick County, KS, but was always a United Methodist pastor at heart. The risen Christ laid his hand on Jim when he was about 12 years old, and he could never let go of that - because Christ never let go of him, thanks be to God! Jim thought he had betrayed God when he could no longer serve as a pastor, but God showed him ways to witness in his clinical social work and he came to realize that was his calling for the moment. The best years of Jim's life came when he was invited to be a part of the Pastoral Care Team of First United Methodist Church, Wichita. His time with homebound persons and those who were critically ill and or dying were some of the best, most awesome times of his life. The word of the Lord through Jeremiah is so true: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." Jim came to realize a further truth from Jeremiah: "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord." In addition to his time in the ministry, Jim loved flying kites, climbing trees, and skipping. He loved his family, especially his wife, Jean, to whom he was married for 69 years.Preceded in death by his parents, Russel and Hazel Matthews; daughters, Janis Angermayr, Joni Matthews Davis; uncle, Charles Nichols; aunt, Verda Nichols; son-in-law, Bruce Miller.Survived by his wife, Jean Kathryn Matthews of Wichita; daughters, Jalynn (Jerre) Nolte of Lawrence, KS, Jill Miller of Wichita; sons-in-law, Günter Angermayr, Charles Davis; and exchange daughter, Lizzy Weibel of Rockville, MD; grandchildren, Rebecca (Alek) Bowles of Lawrence, KS, Matthew (Madison) Nolte of Kansas City, MO, Nicholas Nolte of Kansas City, MO, Tia (William) Perng of Wichita, KS, Travis (Carol) Miller of Katy, TX, John Angermayr of Estes Park, CO, Colin (Ashley) Chavez of Grapevine, TX, Scott Weibel, Stevan Weibel, Violet Caroline Weibel, Kennedy Aliya Weibel; sister, Nancy (Vic) Matson of Rocklin, CA; brother, David (Kim) Matthews of El Dorado, KS; great-grandchildren, Beckett Bowles, Cutler Bowles, Declan Bowles, Miller Nolte, Landrik Perng, Eelam Perng, Grammer Perng, Russell (Lindsay) Gibson of Katy, TX, Colby Gibson, Zoe Gibson.Memorials have been established with: First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway St., Wichita, KS 67202; Southwestern College, 100 N. College St., Winfield, KS 67156; United Methodist Open Door, Inc., 402 E. 2nd St., Wichita, KS 67202.Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
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Jim was a gentle soul who cared deeply about people. Jim married me and my husband Steve in 1993. He and his family have been good friends all through the years. I’m sad to see him go but happy to know how many people he helped over his lifetime. That is a true testament to Christ’s teachings. I very much miss his daughter Janis who was a good friend. I’m glad they are together again in heaven.