Frederick "Matt" Matthias

Frederick ‘Matt’ Matthias left us unexpectedly, Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Born in Jersey City, NJ on August 22, 1933, raised in New York City, NY, Frederick Matthias, widely known as ‘Matt’ Matthias, enlisted in the US Air Force at 17 during the Korean War. Stationed at Lake Charles Air Force Base (Chennault), he met and married Cora Lognion, his lifelong companion of sixty-eight years (married on 6/14/1955). A devoted father to Cheryl Matthias Bebee, Patrick S. Matthias (Cindy), Nancy Matthias Tomasich (Oscar), and Stacey A. Matthias. Grandfather to Marcus Bebee, Katie Matthias, and great-grandfather to Gabriel Bebee (Marcus) and Christopher Maxwell (Marcella), preceded in death by his granddaughter Marcella Bebee.

His aviation career spanned over sixty years, beginning with the USAF as an engine mechanic on B-29 Bombers. He amassed 26,000 flight hours as a commercial pilot flying crop dusters and certified aircraft, also working as an FAA Inspector and Certified Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic (A&P). With thirty-plus years as an Inspection Authorization (IA), Federal Certified Inspector, and FAA Certified Commercial Pilot, he concluded his career as Chief Inspector with Northrup Grumman. A recipient of the FAA’s prestigious "Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award" and the "Wright Brother’s Golden Eagle Award."
Beyond family and flying, Matt was a devout servant of Jesus Christ, serving as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Lake Charles. He extended his ministry to hospitalized and homebound parishioners, training numerous young Altar servers. Matt had a profound love for animals, exemplified by his recent rescue dog, Creole, after Hurricane Laura.

His life painted a vivid portrait of a hardworking man, artist, published author, horse and dog whisperer, fitness enthusiast, western movie fanatic, and nature lover. He truly lived a beautiful life.
In place of flowers or plants, he requested that monetary donations be directed to St. Margaret Catholic Church in Lake Charles and St. Jude.

In his own words, copied from his last book, ‘Crop Duster Pilot.’
“Furthermore, before I write the words, The End, I’d like to thank my wife, Cora Lognion Matthias, who is still putting up with me for sixty-eight years of marriage. I must mention the wife of a crop duster pilot is very hard, five months out of the year they handle everything, our four kids, paying the bills, cutting the grass, I mean everything. The pilot leaves for work in the dark of morning and arrives home in the dark of night, seven days a week, for a good four months. I always had breakfast, iron clothes, and a lunch brown bag every day, thanks to my loving wife.
When we moved temporarily for two months to Donaldsonville when I flew the sugarcane season, my wife drove back to Iowa, with four kids and our big German Shepard Dog in the Station Wagon once a week, paid the bills, cut the grass and anything else that had to be done, then drove back the next day.
Next, really not next, I thank God first, who stayed beside me from the time I was born till this very moment, ninety years. Sometimes you may stray wondering is there really someone out there? Then you think about being ninety-years old and still above ground to be blessed with the love of a family, to see the grass, the trees, the sun coming up through the windows of our house reflecting on the walls, my dog, the smell of fall and all the other things you experience of just being alive, how perfect it is. I know an Angel was with me as I flew all those back-and-forth hours looking through the flying goggles strapped to the cloth hat that I wore. I probably could go on and on, but I know from the words on the pages behind this page that someone up there likes me. And I know who that someone is…Our Loving God! The End.”