John Harry Matthews III was born on October 4th, 1938 in Bangkok Siam to British and American parents. When WWII broke out John and his mother Helen relocated to her home town of Sherman, Texas. It was in Sherman that John's love for the outdoors began. After graduation from high school, John earned the nickname "Pope John" at Texas A&M from his classmates while leading the universities Catholic men's group. In the summer months, after completing his Eagle Scout badge, John worked at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. These summers were some of his fondest and further nurtured his passion for hunting and fishing, as well as his love for camping.

Upon graduating for Texas A&M, John was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air force. While on active duty John met the love of his life Alice, Elaine "Sis" Goolsby and proposed to her after only a week of dating! John and Sis were married 59 years before his passing. During his 13 year military career John served in the Office of Special Investigations (O.S.I), working closely with the C.I.A., F.B.I, and various foreign intelligence services, including the Korean C.I.A and the British MI5. John's detail was even in charge of guarding President JFK and President Johnson. During this time John further pursued higher education and received his master degree, and eventfully his PhD in History, retiring as a Captain in the Air Force.

After retirement from the military, John and Elaine and the five J's settled in Vero Beach, where he began a new career at Indian River Community College as the Director of the Police and Fire Academy. After a few years he then became a professor in the History Department. While at IRCC, John served as president of the Florida Criminal Justice association, while teaching History and Political Science. He eventually retired and vigorously pursued his love of the outdoors hunting and fishing as much as he could, while traveling the globe to see his kids and grandkids and many friends.

During John's lifetime his faith was always at the forefront, second only to his family. During retirement John helped found the prison ministry at St Helen Catholic Church. He also became a Secular Franciscan and volunteered as much as he could in helping spread the good word. John's strong Catholic faith and belief in family produced five wonderful children and seven grand children. It was having grand children that earned John his greatest title in life- Popa Doc. John loved his children and is survived by all five John H Matthews IV, wife Cheryl, and son Johnny 5 of Maui Hawaii; son James C Matthews of Key Largo FL; son COL Joseph G Matthews, wife Sarah, daughters Alaina, Mary Margaret, and son David of Cumming GA; Joan Dare and daughter Grace from Savannah GA; son Jeffrey Matthews, wife Elizabeth, daughter Lileigh, and son Grayson of Vero Beach. John was preceded in death by his Parents John and Helen; and his step father Alfred A Rolfe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 10am at St Helen Church, in lieu of flowers and donations please seek and thank all of our veterans for their service.