Warren Frank Matthews

Warren Frank Matthews, M.D., known all his life as Frank, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2018, at the age of 87 years. Although born in Chicago, he considered himself a Decatur boy at heart, graduating from Decatur Boys High in 1947 and from Emory University with a Bachelor of Science in 1951. He then moved to Ann Arbor, MI graduating from University of Michigan Medical School in 1954. Following his internship at the – Boston City Hospital, he returned to Ann Arbor for his residency in pathology from 1955-1959. Frank served as a Captain in the United States Army as Assistant Chief, Pathology Services at Madigan General Hospital, Fort Lewis, Washington from 1959-1961. In 1961, Frank and his family returned to Decatur to help open DeKalb Medical Center’s inaugural Department of Pathology. He was immensely proud of serving that institution for 50 years as both the Chief of Pathology until his retirement from full-time work in 1997, as well as Courtesy Staff Pathologist until his final retirement in 2011.

Frank’s accomplishments were many. He served on the boards and chaired numerous committees for medical organizations such as The Red Cross, state and county medical societies. He was a member of the national College of American Pathologists (CAP) and served on its Board of Governors from 1977-1984. In 1984, the CAP named him “Pathologist of the Year”. He took great pride in serving as a past president of the Decatur Rotary Club and often described how its motto, “Service Above Self” guided his life. He found great joy in serving his church of 57 years, University Heights Methodist in Decatur, and tutoring math for many years at The United Methodist Children’s Home. He was a gifted musician and singer, a consummate joke teller, and a favorite in many circles for his humor, generosity and integrity.

He was most proud of and sustained by his family, both immediate and extended. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean Wilson Matthews; daughters, Susanna Philips and her husband, Kelley, of Lithonia, GA, Margaret Gurish of Dedham, MA, and Bee Storey and her husband, Allen, of Lilburn, GA; five cherished grandchildren; and many more family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved son-in-law, Michael Gurish, of Dedham, MA.

The family will receive guests from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, July 13 at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033. A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 14, in the Chapel of the Decatur First Methodist Church, 300 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, with Reverend Jay Hodges presiding.

For those who want to remember Frank in a tangible way, the family asks that memorial donations be considered to The United Methodist Children’s Home, 1967 Lakeside Parkway, #400, Tucker, GA, 30084.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.