Randy Friel Mathews

Randy Friel Mathews

Cedar Rapids

Randy Friel Mathews, 66, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. The visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Services at 520 Wilson Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. The services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, at the funeral home. The burial will be held afterwards at St. John’s Cemetery at 1340 17th St. SE in Cedar Rapids. A luncheon for friends and family will take place at Murdoch-Linwood following the burial.

Randy was born Feb. 7, 1957, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Friel and Lesteretta Houser Mathews. Randy spent his childhood in Cincinnati, Iowa, and graduated from Centerville High School in 1975, Indian Hills Community College in 1977, and the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1979. Randy began his teaching and coaching career in Ottumwa and made many stops over the next 40 years, including North Platte, Mo.; Olin, Monticello, Grinnell, Clear Creek Amana, and Cedar Rapids. Randy retired as a Special Education teacher from the Cedar Rapids Community School District in 2012, but continued to substitute teach and coach in the area until 2020. Over a teaching and coaching career that spanned four decades, Randy touched the lives of countless students and athletes. Randy taught young people to work hard, do things the right way, and respect the game. An avid St. Louis Cardinals, UNI Panthers, Iowa State Cyclones and Denver Broncos fan, Randy was also a trivia buff, classic rock music enthusiast who enjoyed attending concerts, golfer, and pickleball player. Most of all, though, Randy loved spending time with his family. Randy was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who relished his role as mentor, protector, chef, cheerleader, and coach.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ronald and Ralph Eugene. Survivors include his wife Cathy of Cedar Rapids; children and stepchildren, Spencer Mathews and wife Tracy of Council Bluffs; Callie Welsh of Urbana; Amy Welsh of Glendale, Ariz.; and Lisa Welsh of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Atticus and Ainsley Mathews of Council Bluffs; Avery Moomey of Marion; Amaya and Kylie Doss of Glendale, Ariz.; and Chase Welsh of Cedar Rapids; brother, Rick and wife Mary Louise Mathews of Centerville; sister-in-law, Alice Mathews of Loveland, Colo.; first wife, Peggy Hoenshel Keele and husband Mark of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Special Olympics in memory of Randy.

Please share a memory of Randy at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.