Elbert Cornelius "Neli" Matthews, Jr. was born January 31, 1936, in Livingston, Texas, and died in Round Rock after a short illness on September 2, 2011. He was the son of former Polk County Judge E. C. Matthews, Sr. and his wife Addie Lee Lansford Matthews. Neli graduated from Corrigan High School in 1953 and attended Texas A&M for a time before joining the Air Force where he was stationed in Germany. While there he met a beautiful young Danish girl, Liss Grumlose, and they married in 1958 shortly before Neli got out of the AF and returned to Texas.



Over the course of his career, Neli worked for RCA, Philco, IBM and they lived in Coco Beach, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama; Los Gatos, California and for the last thirty years have lived in Georgetown, Texas. During the years in Georgetown, "Matt" as he is known to his friends there, has been active in Elk's Lodge #2659. He is a past Exhalted Ruler who served tirelessly in many capacities both visibly and behind the scenes. Neli is preceded in death by his parents, son Aubrey Matthews, grandson Marcus Matthews, and sister Ann Matthews Keith.



Survivors include: wife of 52 years: Liss; son, Lars Matthews, former daughter-in-law, Coleen Matthews, grandsons, Lars II and Logan of Georgetown; granddaughter: Aleah Holley of Chicago; daughter-in-law: Sarah Matthews of Friendswood; brothers and sisters-in-law: Dick Matthews and wife Judy of Tomball, George Matthews and wife Kay of El Campo; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Kurt Grumlose and wife Kirsten, Per Grumlose and wife Kirsten of Denmark; nieces and nephews: Viki Jimenez, Ken Parrish, John Elbert Matthews, Aaron Matthews, Bonnie Matthews, Lindy Grant, Sine Grumlose, Hans Grumlose, Thor Grumlose, Niels Grumlose, Martin Grumlose and Henrick Grumlose. Also, Joe, Leah and John DeBoard, dear, next-door neighbors from California who were like his own children, many brothers and sisters from the Elks Lodge, in addition to numerous near and dear friends, all of whom will miss his gentle nature, intelligence, friendliness and unique personality.



If you so desire, donations may be made to the Midway Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, c/o Mr. Elton Evans, President, Midway Cemetery Association, 307 Sarah Lyn Drive, Livingston, TX 77351. Only interest from this fund is used to maintain the cemetery, so your contribution will continue serving for a lifetime.