James Gibson Mathews of Troy, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 23, 2004 at 9:05PM. He was born in Covington, Kentucky on April 24, 1930 to the late Joseph James Mathews and Cleon Agnes Porter Mathews. One brother, Don Kaye Mathews, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy King Mathews, one son and daughter-in-law: Christopher James and A'Lisha Sponsel Mathews of Monroe, Ohio; one daughter and son-in-law: Kateri Kami and Bruce Gardner of Oswego, NY. Mr. Mathews attended Piqua High School and the University of Dayton. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a military purchaser at NCR and retired from there in 1988. He was a realtor with RE/MAX Professionals in Troy until 1993. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, a graduate of Leadership Troy, a Lunch Buddy, a volunteer at Riverside School, a member of the Troy Country Club, an avid golfer, a sports writer for the Troy Daily News, a frequent contributor to the editorial page, coached Little League Baseball, a National Swimming Official, a high school football official, belonged to the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and actively promoted the preservation of Civil War sites. Mr. Mathews will be remembered by those who knew and loved him best, for his love of family and friends, always having time for a child, his atrocious jokes and his dissertations on the Civil War. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30AM on Friday, January 30, 2004 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Troy, Ohio. Friends may call from 5-8PM on Thursday, January 29, 2004 at Baird Funeral Home in Troy, Ohio. A private burial will be conducted at the convenience of the family. At the deceased's request, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Civil War Preservation Trust, 11 Public Square, Suite 200, Hagerstown, MD 21740; The Future Begins Today, or the Troy Foundation.