Lewis Sanford Matlock

Lewis Sanford Matlock, 86, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Twin Falls, Idaho, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He was born on February 13,1938, in Hood River, Oregon to Clarence Sanford and Dorthy M. Behr Matlock.Lewie was the oldest of three children, Cecil (Mary) Matlock of Declo, Idaho and Chester “Chet” Matlock of Corvallis, Oregon that preceded him in death. Lewie attended school in Declo, Idaho and met the love of his life, Darlene “Dar” Marie Palmer. They were married January 22, 1957, and had four children. They lived most of their 54 years together in Idaho, with a few years early on in California, and a few years in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Lewie was always a hard worker and did many different things to provide for his family, which included: working at Burley Livestock and a few odd jobs here and there, before getting married. He drove truck for Joe Doctorman Trucking in Utah, Palmer Trucking of Idaho, and K-Line Trucking out of Oregon. Him and Dar owned Matlock Coal Company in Twin Falls, Idaho for several years before starting their own trucking company, Matlock & Sons Trucking. Lewie traveled to most of the States in the U.S., hauling livestock. He knew the Highways so well, that if you got lost and called him, he would tell you right where you were, by telling him the mile marker you were at. Lewie loved the Oregon Coast! He and Dar would load up their kids and a few nieces and nephews into the “Ole School Bus” that was made into a motor home, boat in tow, and hit the road to Depot Bay Oregon for some deep-sea fishing. He also, loved to fly like his youngest brother Chet. Lewie got his pilot’s license and bought a Cessna airplane, and after Chet passed away, he also bought his Cessna. Lewie actually did an emergency landing on the interstate near Malta, Idaho and made the newspaper. He told the Highway Patrol that he had a tire blow out, but the story that the family got was typical Lewie and will remain a family secret. Lewie was also an avid Nascar Fan! Every Saturday and Sunday, you would find him in his favorite recliner, remote in hand, Peanut M&M’s a plenty and a soda. He could tell you everything you wanted to know about the drivers, their cars, and the races they won. He even raced cars himself at Magic Valley Raceway in Twin Falls, Idaho. When Dar passed away September 17^th, 2010, Lewie was devastated. After all, they had spent most of their lives together. He was at a loss. As time passed, he was reintroduced to a friend of his and Dar’s, Faye Rasmussen. Lewie and Faye actually met in 1962 in the potato fields where they both worked and became friends. Faye then went to work at Ore Ida and met Lewie’s dad, both brothers, and worked side by side next to Dar and Lewie’s mom. They all remained friends throughout the years, so, when Lewie and Faye were reintroduced after both losing their spouses, they got reacquainted by going to the gym together and out for meals. Lewie married Faye, September 28^th, 2012, in the LDS church and gained some pep in his step again. Lewie and Faye traveled quite a bit to see places that he had drove truck through but never got to take in the sites. They went to places like Nashville, Tennessee to the Grand Ole Opry, Las Vegas, NV, Washington D.C to see his grandson Ryan and his family, Daytona Beach, FL, and a visit to Disney World in Orlando. They went to Seattle, WA and drove down the Oregon Coast to show Faye all his favorite spots, then it was on to see the Redwood Forest and Paul Bunyan & Babe his Blue Ox. They visited Bryce Canyon, UT, Glacier National Park, MT, Craters of the Moon Hot Springs in Idaho. And of course he had to go to Nascar Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina – a dream come true for Lewie! He even went to a Nascar race in Phoenix Arizona. The two of them would hook up his pickup and their 5^th wheel trailer and head down the road to go spend time in the desert near Quartzsite, Arizona every year (January to March). Faye had family and they both had friends that would meet up to enjoy the warmth and some fun. They all had their tasks to do and then would meet up to go to church and enjoy a Sunday potluck dinner. Lewie really enjoyed going to Arizona every year as he loved to socialize and tell jokes, but as his Parkinson’s progressed, he had to quit driving, which meant it was time to stay home and get comfortable in his recliner, watching his races again. Lewie still got to socialize with people when he and Faye would go to church. Lewie had been an inactive member of the LDS church for many years until he met Faye. It was something that he chose to do with his wife. He later decided on his own, that he would get his Temple Endowment. So, on November 8^th, 2023, he did just that. Lewie had a tough childhood that most have not endured or even could imagine, but he made the most out of life. He could be gruff or harsh as some might say at times due to his past, but he had a heart of gold. He was a great provider for his family. Despite his misfortunes, he did the best that he knew how. He was an entrepreneur from day one and succeeded in the ventures he took on. He was a storyteller and a jokester that could make anyone laugh. Lewie was and will remain in our hearts, a beloved son to his parents that passed away many years ago, a brother to Cecil (Mary) and Chet (preceded in death), a beloved brother in law to many, a husband to Dar (preceded in death), a husband and companion to Faye, a father to his children, a grandfather and great grandfather to many, and an adored uncle to his nieces and nephews, as well as many other family & friends. Thank you to all of those that were there for Lewie, to visit with him, to care for him, and to love him.