Dr. Raymond Allen “R.A.” Matthew February 01, 1929 – January 27, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Upload Photo| View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Matthew, Dr. Raymond Allen “R.A.” Age, 89, Retired Dentist, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019. Growing-up in West Virginia where Donley Matthew built the house when he married Lena Seese in ~1925. Raymond was born in 1929 and went to school in Grafton WV graduating high school 1946.
He enrolled in Alderson and Broaddus in West Virginia and transferred to University of West Virginia and then to the University of Pittsburg for Dental School where he met and fell in love with Dorothy Marie Ryan. They were married in 1953 prior to Raymond graduating in 1954. Shortly after graduation, Raymond went to the Army as part of his ROTC involvement.
After two years at Camp Chaffee in Ft. Smith Arkansas, he was discharged from the Army. Raymond and Dorothy moved to Wichita in 1956 where Raymond started his dental practice.
In June of 1956 he and his father, Donley Matthew, built the Shopping Center where his office resided until 2011. They rented a residence at 13th and Hood where they shared a back yard with Harold and Ann Conley who became lifelong friends. Shortly after arriving in Wichita Elizabeth was born and within two years Connie arrived.
Cindy and David Conley were born within weeks of Elizabeth and Connie making instant playmates. Donley Matthew returned to Wichita in 1958 to build a house at 2355 Forestview Drive using plans from graduate architect affiliated with Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1959, the house was completed where Raymond lived the rest of his days.
Their third child, Donley II, arrived in 1959 and David in 1961. Danny was born in 1964 and passed away in March of 1965 from a medical condition found at six weeks old. Raymond continued his dental practice and started buying farm ground in 1958.
Donley Matthew officially moved with Lena from West Virginia in 1969 to start a cattle herd and farm. They expanded the operation by purchasing pasture ground in Harvey County, Kansas for summer pasture in the 70’s and additional ground between 29th and 37th North along 135th street in western Sedgwick County. In 1972, they joined the Olivet Southern Baptist Church where they were active members.
They participated in Mission Trips including a trip to the Dominican Republic where Dorothy’s skills as a nurse and Raymond’s as a dentist were utilized. Dorothy and Raymond celebrated their 25th wedding in 1978 with a large party at the house with over 100 attendees. All four kids attended college and moved on to productive professional lives.
In 2003, Dorothy moved to Florida where her mother resided while Raymond remained in Wichita. They were officially divorced after 50 years of marriage in 2004 but remained supportive of each other throughout their lives. Raymond was a hunting and fishing enthusiast, displaying moose, elk, bear, deer, ram, swordfish, bass amongst other game in his office and at home.
He made annual trips to New Mexico and Idaho hosting hunting trips with colleagues Virgil Palmer, Don Kaylor, Ray Lansdowne, Marvin Edgington, and many others. He is survived by his children; Elizabeth “Eli” Matthew of Florida; Donley Matthew, II and Connie (Steve) Matthew-Warren, both of CA and David and Cathy Matthew of Kechi, KS; grandchildren, Derick, Dustin, Sean, Amy and Samantha and 7 great grandchildren. The family would like to recognize Dustin for all the incredible care given in taking care of his grandfather for all these years.
Your kindness inspires us all. He is preceded in death by his parents and son, Danny.
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