Paul James Matthews

Paul James Matthews Camarillo, CA Paul James (Jim) Matthews was born October 12, 1948 to Barbara and Leonard Paul Matthews, and left us peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and children, on December 1, 2011, due to complications from a stroke. Jim graduated from Whittier High School in 1966 and then enlisted in the Navy. After training, he was assigned to duty on the John C. Calhoun Nuclear Submarine. He attended San Diego State University on the GI Bill and graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1978. In 1977, Jim married Lynne Bienvenu in San Diego and the joy in their lives increased tenfold when Daniel and Jamie were adopted from Korea. There is no doubt that Jim felt his children were his greatest blessings from God. Jim was employed as an engineer at Northrop Grumman, Navigation Systems Division, formerly Litton Guidance, in Woodland Hills. During his 32 years there, Jim worked as a field engineer, project engineer, and most recently as a Manager in Systems Engineering. He was a good friend and a great patriot. In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, he volunteered to repair Apache navigation systems in Kuwait as a Litton field representative because he had experience with them as a field representative at Hughes (later McDonnell Douglas) Helicopters. His service in Kuwait earned his division an Operation Desert Storm award for its field support of the U.S. Army's aviation mission. Jim's career encompassed a myriad of Litton/NG systems and projects that spanned the entire inertial systems technology, including state of the art laser and fiber optic systems for the U.S. and NATO Armed Forces. Last year, Jim began a medical leave of absence in order to start dialysis as a result of hereditary kidney disease. Jim was an avid history buff and was never without a book in hand. He also loved travel, camping, fishing, the outdoors, and was an active member of his church, the Camarillo Church of Christ. He is survived by his family: wife Lynne, son Daniel, daughter Jamie, mother, Barbara, brothers, Jerry (and Pat) Matthews, Steve (and Nancy) Matthews, sister, Laurie Matthews and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim also leaves behind so many friends, too many to list, but you know who you are. He was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed, however, we are all blessed with loving memories that will forever be in our hearts. II Timothy 4:6 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Jim's memory are asked to scatter seeds of kindness, find peace, and make a charitable donation to either: The Arizona Transplant House 5811 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85054 or The Camarillo Church of Christ Benevolence Fund 515 Temple Ave. Camarillo, CA 93010 A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Camarillo Church of Christ, 515 Temple Ave., Camarillo, CA 93010. Interment will follow on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA 90608.