Leslie Carter Matthies

Les Matthies died peacefully on November 4, 2015 at Clarehouse in Tulsa, OK at the age of 72. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic urothelial cancer in January 2015 after surviving testicular cancer in the 1980s.

Les was born on May 2, 1943, the third of five children to Leslie H. and Mary C. Matthies in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 16, his family moved to Tulsa, OK and he graduated from Edison High School in 1962. Les attended Oklahoma State University earning a BS in Marketing in 1966 and an MBA in 1968. He worked for Cities Service and Occidental Petroleum for 38 years in the IT department. While he had many “jobs” with Oxy, he is remembered by most as the director of F.A.S.T Class from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s, an in-house educational program developed to train computer programmers.

Les met his wife Chris when she was 37 and he was 45. Neither expected a future that included the starry-eyed type of love affair they thought reserved for the very young and they married in 1989. She became a nester and nurturer, he a rescuer and protector. He vowed to show her the world. During their busy careers and retirement, they travelled to Europe and far-flung areas within the United States and Canada. The next trip was always being planned and the best trip was the one they just completed.

As a retiree, Les volunteered with Linnaeus Gardens. He spent many hours in the entry garden each season with friends who shared his love of gardening. He served on the support team for the Linnaeus Garden website and helped organize training videos for new classes. The Linnaeus experience was a source of unbridled joy.

While Les had no biological children, his nephews (Andrew, LaMonte, Alex) considered him a father figure, a person they admired, respected and just downright loved with all their hearts. He returned their love in kind. Les taught everyone in his life unconditional love. His smile brightened the room and his quiet, accepting demeanor put all at ease. Many say he was the kindest man they had ever known.

Les was preceded in death by his mother, father and sister Claire Curtice. Those left to cherish his memory include: wife Chris of 26 years; brother Steve Matthies and his wife Sheryl of Grand Junction, Colorado; brother David Matthies and his wife Pamela of Denver, Colorado; sister Carole Brownlee of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chris and members of his extended family wish to thank all the healthcare professionals who cared for Les at M.D. Anderson, Houston, Texas; Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa -- staff on 6 West and the Tower, 4th floor; Tulsa Cancer Institute (Dr. Alan Keller and Rhonda); Dr. Donald Higgins; St. Francis Hospice; and Clarehouse.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM at Fellowship Lutheran Church, 6727 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday, November 13. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Linnaeus Teaching Gardens (2435 S. Peoria, Tulsa, Ok 74114), Fellowship Lutheran Church and Clarehouse (7617 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, Ok 74133).