Local rancher John Matthews dies at 101

By Melinda L. Lucas

A “sold out” event in March 2019 celebrating his 100th birthday was a perfect example of how Albany residents felt about John Matthews. The free tickets to the musical held at the Aztec were gone within a few hours, with a long waiting list in case someone was unlucky enough not to be able to attend.

Matthews, an authentic Old Timer who belonged to the legendary pioneer Shackelford County family, died Saturday at the age of 101.

Until just recently, Matthews still very compentently drove his pickup from the ranch where he grew up just south of town to his beloved hometown of Albany for a meal with friends or to drop off his laundry. Even when he quit driving himself, he still managed to get on a dance floor occasionally.

A lifelong supporter of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, he was in the very first show in 1938 as a college student, and was most active during the 1980s and 1990s with his wife, Sharon, playing the part of Johnny Golden to her Lottie Deno. His portrayal of a tipsy cowboy in “Drunk and Disorderly” was unforgettable, particularly because it was the opposite of the gracious gentleman Matthews was in real life.

More recently, he stepped into the boots of his father, Joe B. Matthews, to play the role of the Old Timer for several years, most notably in 2019 when he was 100 years old.

A private burial is being held at the family cemetery on the Lambshead Ranch.