Jerry “Rusty” Wayne Mathis, 66, of Vian, Oklahoma, passed away in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on March 15, 2023.

Jerry was born to Walter William Mathis and Ellen Nicie Mathis (Smith) in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, on May 11, 1956.

Jerry married the love of his life, Karen Elaine Thomason, on August 07, 1976. They recently celebrated 46 loving years together. Jerry was always a provider for his family, but out of his professions, carpentry, oil field, and truck driving, he was most proud of the 40 years he spent as a truck driver. When he first started, he traveled across America but eventually remained closer to home and traveled mainly in Kanas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. When Jerry had downtime and was not hunting or fishing with his children, he enjoyed watching westerns and drinking an ice-cold Mountain Dew.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, J.D. Elkins, two sisters, Sendie McManagle and Shirley Jo Bridges, and one granddaughter Lyrick Ann Mathis.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Karen; his children, Jeremy Wayne Mathis, Thomas William Mathis, Amber Dawn Mathis, Adam Ewing Mathis, and Kristopher Blu Mathis; his brother, Pete Elkins; his grandchildren, Xavier Mathis, Zaid Mathis, Alisseondra Mathis, Layla Justice Mathis, June Justice Mathis, Jayd Mathis, Abigail Mathis, Kaleb Summers, Allie King, Chevy Ryan Mabrey, Jenna Boren, Hunter Mathis, Jesse Mathis and Shilo Mathis and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel at Forever Memories Funeral Services.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00, Monday, March 20, 2023, with Merel Rowe officiating. Jerry’s final resting place will be at Sanders Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Mathis, Adam Mathis, Hunter Mathis, Xavier Mathis, Thomas Mathis and Kristopher Blu Mathis.

Honorary Pallbearers; Jesse Mathis and Pete Elkins.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forever Memories Funeral Services of Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

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