John "Pete" Willard Matthews Jr.

John Willard Matthews Jr., affectionately known to family, friends, and throughout the community simply as “Pete,” was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, businessman, and longtime member of the DeLand community. He passed away September 19, 2026, just two days after his 89th birthday.

Pete was born on September 17, 1937, in Neil’s Creek Township, North Carolina, to the late John Willard Matthews Sr. and Ellie Mae Matthews. He was the last surviving of four siblings and was preceded in death by his brother, Medford, and his sisters, Jackie Gray and Bobby McKee.

Pete proudly served his country for four years in the United States Air Force, spending two of those years stationed in Africa. During his service, he learned the electrical trade that would become an important part of his working life. His love of country remained an important part of who he was throughout his life.

After his military service, Pete worked in the maintenance department at Sherwood Medical for 35 years. Following his retirement from Sherwood Medical, he devoted himself full time to A&M Electric, the electrical business he owned, putting to use the trade he had first learned while serving in the Air Force. Pete was a hardworking man who took great pride in his work, his business, and providing for his family.

For nearly 70 years, Pete called DeLand, Florida, home. He loved his community, but nothing was more important to him than his family. At the center of his life was Alice, his beloved wife of 70 years. Together, they built a life and a family that became Pete’s greatest legacy.

Pete is survived by his wife, Alice Matthews; his son, John Matthews and his partner, Laura Porter; his daughter, Sandy Barker and her husband, Frankie; and his daughter, Alison Black and her husband, Kevin.

He was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren: Elizabeth Hyman, Jenny Reed, Michael Matthews, Dakota Barker, Phoenix Silva, Montana Barker, Shea Black, Cole Black, and Sydney Black; and the cherished great-grandfather of ten: Noah, Jackson, Dillon, Piper, Brooke, Raleigh, Evan, Wyatt, Beau, and August.

Pete knew how to enjoy life. He was an avid freshwater fisherman and could happily spend countless hours with a fishing pole in his hand. Naturally athletic and competitive, he loved sports and was especially good at ping-pong, horseshoes, pool, and cards. He also enjoyed watching football and baseball and sharing those simple pleasures with the people he loved. But the true measure of Pete’s life was never found in the things he did. It was found in the people he loved.He was a devoted husband, a proud father and grandfather, and a man whose family always knew how deeply they mattered to him. His nearly seven decades in DeLand created a lifetime of friendships, memories, and connections to the community he was proud to call home. Pete lived his life grounded in the values that mattered most to him: God, Family, and Country.

There will be a Funeral Service 11:00 am Wednesday September 23, 2026 at Lankford Funeral Home, 220 East New York Ave. Deland FL 32724.

Cemetery service will be private.