Frederick Gary ‘Fred’ Matthes, 83, De Soto

Frederick Gary “Fred” Matthes, 83, of De Soto died Jan. 26, 2023, in De Soto. Mr. Matthes was raised on his family’s dairy farm east of De Soto and graduated from Festus High School. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Missouri in Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) and worked at Kinkead, a division of Kohler Co., in Union City, Tenn., as a manager of engineering. He retired at 55 and returned to the family farm to care for his parents and to raise hay and cattle, and he maintained the farm for nearly 30 years, until his death. He enjoyed being outdoors, observing wildlife and hunting. He took many big game hunting trips to the Rocky Mountain area. Born Dec. 7, 1939, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Emily (Farnham) and Harold Carl Matthes.

He is survived by three siblings: Nancy (John W.) Moore of Charleston, Harold “Hal” (Anne) Matthes of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Marilyn (Mark) Kemp of Arnold; four nephews; a niece; and many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life, on Saturday, June 17, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto, with the Rev. Terry Crank officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.