John Mathis Obituary

Dear Mrs. Mathis:

I belive Jack played basketball for my dad at La Porte high school. When I was in jr. high school, your husband printed a baseball paper {one page review of the day/week] I remeber delivering on my bike. One memory that stands out, was waiting for the allstar game to finish. Believe it was extra inings and Red schondienst[sp] hit a homer run to win it for the national league. I was late for supper that nite, since I lived on the north side of town. Always enjoyed Jack as a player for my Dad and my printing executive Boss. Still rember that letter press in his parents basement. Obviosuly he was enterprising,then as well as he was the rest of his career. While my memories of your husband are brief, they are all pleasant!

Dear Dene and Family,



Jack didn't leave until he left us much to remember. He was an amazing man who lived an equally amazing and busy life. Tenacity, generosity, warmth, and the unfathomable talent of putting anyone at ease in conversation were all characteristics of your and our Jack. He was a man who had so much to say and so often that it was a genuine pleasure to have all of it be so informative, well thought out, and so well expressed. What a fine example for his family and the so many others who knew him.

Dear Mathis family,

I cannot begin to tell you the sadness I felt when I heard of Mr. Mathis' passing. He played such a pivotal role in my life, and the life of the other 17 players on our state championship team at Fenwick. We could not have done it without him. He was a great inspiration to both the team and to me personally, always encouraging me and cheering me on. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I will forever hold a special place in my heart for Mr. Mathis - the best basketball scout we could have imagined and a wonderful friend to the team.

Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the Mathis Family. The Sun was always shining when Jack was around. What a wonderful, kind and positive man. He touched so many lives, especially all the girls who played AAU Basketball. May God bless him.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.

Jack was an inspiration for anyone that knew him. He made such a difference in the lives of so many young women athletes. What opportunities he gave them that they would have never had. Chicago had one of the best women basketball programs in the United States and that was due in a major part to Jack. My daughter Melissa was on the AAU 15-under team that won nationals (Tamika Catchings, Katie Coleman, Leslie Schock, Dana Leonard, Abbie Willenburg, Casey Leonhardt and many others) and Jack was a major supporter of that team. Without his support, this team may not have ever had the opportunity to play against some of the best basketball players in the country. These young women were given a platform to grow and excel in their sport and receive scholarships to some of the finest institutions in the country. We talk of him so often and are so thankful for the wonderful memories he provided our family. Jack touched many lives and will definitely be missed.

A truly fascinating man and so humble - lived the life of 10 individuals.



Enjoyed seeing him at Fenwick girls basketball games when his daughter, Jana, coached there.



Used to pass along the articles I wrote for a local paper to him so Mr. Mathis could keep in a scrapbook he compiled for the team.



Truly will be missed.

Dear Dene,

Your loss is our loss too.Jack made a difference in so many lives. We only wish that we knew him better. Just know that he's in a wonderful place with our Lord.He will be missed next door.

Love,

The Laugals

Mrs. Mathis and Family,

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Coach Mathis' enthusiasm for AAU basketball was a gift to all involved. His encouragements, cheer, and interest in our success, on and off the court, will always be cherished. His memory will always make me smile.

My family and I would like to sincerely send the most heartfelt sympathies to the family of Jack Mathis. Jack was truly a "renaissance man," as his gifts and interests ranged from sports, to films, to music, business, and journalism. I will never forget Jacks' unselfish support for womens basketball in our area over the past 20 years. He was instrumental in the 17 and under National AAU Championship for the Girls HUSTLE Basketball team in the spring and summer of 1994!! The support he provided for the players and yours truly as a coach was overwhelming! We will all miss Coach Jack Mathis! Sincerely, Coach Frank Mattucci and family; Stevenson High School.

Our family sends its depest sympathies to the wonderful Mathis family! Jack will surely be missed by all who have known him, especially those in the world of basketball heaven!! I will never forget the unselfish support and devotion that Jack provided for the 1994 National AAU CHAMPION GIRLS HUSTLE team out of Chicago in the spring and summer of 1994!

He provided so much for that 17 and under group of young aldies which included Tangela Smith, Domique Canty, Kelly Collins, Ann McDonanld, Jennifer Jones, Megan Basil, Carly Zilligen, and of course his own daughter, Jana Mathis! Jack helped me in my coaching career immensely with great advice and support! We will surely miss one of the few remaining "renaissance men" of our era! Sincerely, Coach Mattucci and family, Stevenson High School

Our heartfelt sypmathies go out for a wonderful family who has lost a great individual. Jack was a "renaissance" man in an era where speciality only abounds! I am forever grateful for what Jack did for my career as a womens basketball coach when he supported our National Champion Chicago Hustle team in the spring and summer of 1994. His unselfish support was never ending. We will all miss Jack Mathis, especially in the world of womens basketball in our Chicagoland area! Sincerely, Coach Mattucci and family.....Stevenson H.S.

Dear Dene - Ever since Allan died over a year ago I have been reading the obits almost daily. Today I saw Jack's picture as I scanned down the page and I was saddened. I have so many wonderful memories of Jack especially during our Lincoln Park days, and we often talk about the many movies we saw at his apartment before he was so lucky to wed you. He was especially good to Chrissy and Cale, so generous. I will always think of him especially at Thanksgiving time and his birthday. I honor your request for private interment and will celebrate his life but mourn his passing. Loving thoughts to all of you. June Carvell