Darrell Mathes Obituary

Mathes, Darrell Franz
Darrell, a Scottsdale legend, passed away peacefully at Hospice's Sherman Home shortly after his 90th birthday on Oct. 5th 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 27th, 1919 in Hummer, Kansas. While in Kansas as a young man he attended KU where he excelled in sports, especially in track and field where his nickname was "speedball". He later served in the military at Williams Air Force Base where he discovered his love for Arizona. He also served in the Navy before he and his family moved to Phoenix in 1947, where he farmed cotton. Later in life he owned and operated D.F. Mathes Gunite Corp. and in addition was involved in real estate development in the Scottsdale area and Mexico. Darrell had many passions in life including traveling, amusing his friends and family, playing gin rummy, and golf. He served as the 15th President of the US National Senior Open Golf Association. There is a round table situated just inside the entrance to El Chorro Lodge where "Popo" would hold court with his story telling and general good humor. He is survived by his daughters Susie Murphy (Patrick) of Phoenix and Christine Bila (Mike) of Mesa and his sons Malcolm Mathes (Linda) of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Mitchell V. Mathes (Dawn) of Scottsdale and his 6 grandchildren Marty Murphy, Kelly Murphy (Raphaella), Molly Klein (Michael), Robin and Darrell Mathes, and Alanna Williams and 5 great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 on Monday October 26th at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Audrey's Angels, P.O. Box 22029, Phoenix, AZ. 85028 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ. 85014.