Donald M. Matthews, devoted Episcopalian
Donald M. Matthews passed into the nearer presence of our Lord Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Born July 17, 1933, in Washington, D.C., he was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alice, and his older brother, James.
Donald's stepfather began a career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force at the beginning of World War II, advancing to the rank of colonel before his retirement. Although the family moved to several locations during Donald's early life, they maintained a permanent home in Arlington, Va., where he spent most of his youth.
After attending the George Washington University and Oklahoma City University, Donald entered a career in sales with Frieden Calculating Machines Corp. and later with Charles G. Stott & Co. Office Equipment in Washington, D.C. In 1968, he entered into a new career in purchasing management as a buyer of office equipment and printing with Atlantic Research Corp. in Alexandria, Va. He later served as purchasing manager for the National Association of Home Builders, First Virginia Bank, and the National Association of Social Workers before taking a position of purchasing officer with World Bank Group in Washington, D.C.
Donald moved to Lewes upon his retirement in 1995. He loved to travel, especially on cruise ships. Traveling all over the world, he logged hundreds of thousands of miles on more than 70 cruises. Trips varied from as a week's raft trip in the Grand Canyon, to the Panama Canal, Alaska, Europe, Turkey, China and Lhasa (Tibet). Being from an Air Force family, he was proud to be the first in his family to fly around the world on one trip.
Donald was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, especially to The National Cathedral in Washington, where he served on the volunteer staff for over 55 years in various positions. In Lewes, he was a member of St. Peter's Church, where he served as a vestry member, junior warden, lay Eucharistic minister, altar guild member and verger. He also served the Diocese of Delaware as a delegate to several conventions, member of various committees, and member of the Standing Committee.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes. The service will also be streamed on St. Peter’s YouTube channel. Interment in the columbarium at Pilottown Cemetery will be a private event.
