Obituary of John Edward Mathias

John Edward Mathias, age 78, of Gloversville, passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2007, at his home. John was born March 25, 1929 in Dublin, Georgia, the son of Oscar and Rose Mathias. He served in the Army during the Korean War. John was employed by Scotia Gravel as a truck driver. He was a member of the Million Mile Club, having driven over a million miles without an accident. For 16 years, he was the host of "The John Mathias Hour" on Thursdays at 8pm on channel 16. In October 2005, he was inducted into the Civil Rights Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama. His favorite activities included going to the OTB and rooting against the NY Yankees. John was a loving husband and caregiver to his wife Rena, who he married January 24, 1952. Survivors include his wife, Rena Hall Mathias of Gloversville, NY; his children, James Mathias of Gloversville, NY, Richard and Margie Mathias of Dallas, Texas, Daniel and Gloria Mathias of Oxford, MS, Randy Mathias and his Companion Evalynn of Gloversville, NY, Cynthia Mathias of Buford, MS, Venita Mathias of Maryland, Regina Johnson of Tampa, FL and Nadine and Sherwin Thomas of Gloversville, NY; his brother, Oscar Mathis of Miami, FL; twenty-nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Rose Mathias, his son, Scott Mathias and his brothers, Samuel Mathias and Ossie Mathias. Services will be Monday at 11:00 AM at AME Zion Church, Gloversville with Rev. Ruby J. Smith officiating. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Calling hours will be Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Alzheimer's Association of NY, 85 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206-2083 or the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211.