James Matthews

James Matthews, 56, of Indianapolis, passed away on September 17, 2019. 

James was born on May 4, 1963, in Indianapolis, IN to Albert and Daisy (Campbell) Matthews.  He was a Trekkie, he loved the show.  He was stubborn, resillient, and had a quirky sense of humor.  He always went to the beat of his own drum, and was always himself in every situation.   James was a musical prodigy, he was both an amazing singer and he could play any instrument by ear.  He drove a Tour Bus and drove all over the US.  He sang to the people riding, and adored his job.  He was proudest next to his tour bus, with his favorite hat. And the people that rode with him loved him.  He loved his family and he loved his kids, even when he was being the annoying brother to his siblings. 

James is survived by his children James Albert Matthews and Heather Matthews; his siblings Julie, Brenda, Scott, Christy, and Steve Whaley; and many nieces and nephews.

James is preceded in passing by his parents, Albert and Daisy Matthews.

A graveside service for James will be 3 PM, Monday, September 23, 2019 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, 734 N Morgantown Rd, Greenwood, IN 46142.

A story of James' resilience: 

Newman, then 38 and a resident of Cambridge City, Ind., was charged with attempted murder for a March 1984 crime in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, according to South Bend Tribune archives. He was accused of abducting and shooting James A. Matthews, 20, of Elkhart, then trying to bury Matthews in a makeshift grave, according to Tribune news coverage.

Matthews, who at the time was living with Newman’s estranged wife, was able to dig himself out of the grave and then flagged down a car for help — but, in a bizarre twist, the motorist who stopped happened to be Newman, driving a different car than earlier in the day, according to Tribune archives.

Newman then drove Matthews into St. Joseph County near Douglas and Beech roads, and shot him three more times, The Tribune reported. Matthews survived and was able to walk to a gas station for help.

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