George Eugene Matthews, age 87, passed away at home in South Jordan, Utah, on Thursday, August 28, 2025. He was born in Florence, Arizona, on May 26, 1938, to George Elmer Matthews and Letha Peck Matthews.

His family lived in Superior, Arizona, where he graduated from Superior High School in 1956. He studied physics at Brigham Young University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1960 and a master's degree in 1961. While attending BYU, he met Clara Ann Johansen, the sister of his close friend Carl. George and Clara were married on June 8, 1961, in the Cardston Alberta LDS Temple.

George enjoyed teaching. Following their marriage, he and Clara moved to Laie, where he taught at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU–Hawaii). In 1963, they moved to Fairbanks, where he studied and worked at the University of Alaska. In 1965, they relocated to Provo, Utah, where he continued his work and studies at BYU. In 1969, they moved to Alberta, Canada, where George taught mathematics at Medicine Hat College. Their family lived there for 25 years and remained active in their ward and community. George retired in 1994, and he and Clara returned to Utah, living in Orem and later South Jordan until his passing.

George had a lifelong love of learning. In addition to math and physics, he studied history, geology, botany, German, Greek, Hebrew, and Esperanto. He continued to share his time and knowledge after retirement by tutoring nieces and nephews in math. He enjoyed walking, hiking, and spending time outdoors. He loved his wife deeply and took pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Clara, and their children, Susan (Randy) Teerlink, Robert Matthews, William Matthews, Sharon (Tyler) Whitney, Geoffrey (Kristi) Matthews and Barbara (Edward) Galbraith. His grandchildren include Nicole (Brian) Groves, Brianna (Adam) Murray, Janelle (Robert) Neu, Bethany (Christian) Lambert; Lauren and Matthew Whitney; Garrett (Gloria), Brittany, Teagan, and Travon Matthews; and Brooke, Coby, and Summer Galbraith. Great-grandchildren include Benjamin and Russell Groves; Bronwyn and Elliott Murray; and Joshua and Oliver Lambert.

He is also survived by his sister, Karen Matthews.

Services will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home located at 646 East 800 North, Orem, UT.

Friends and extended family are invited to come and pay their respects starting at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service starts at 11:00 a.m. Interment follows immediately afterwards at the Orem City Cemetery located at 1520 N 800 E, Orem, UT.

To view the service online for George please click here. www.walkersanderson.com