God called his good and faithful servant, Dr. Edsel Matthews, to heaven on December 1, 2024. Edsel, 83, of Fair Grove, Missouri, passed away at home surrounded by family. He and his beloved wife, Becky, shared 60 years of marriage – setting forth a beautiful example of a relationship founded in Christ.

A leader, visionary, and competitor his entire life, Edsel leaves a legacy of integrity and influence that spans athletics, academics, and the cattle industry. As a coach, athletic director, and administrator, Edsel mentored countless student-athletes and coaches through the years. He led by example, always focused on teaching the importance of building character, acquiring perseverance, and modeling humility.

A consummate competitor, he was an integral part of the sports scene in Southwest Missouri for most of his life. He was a multi-sport standout at Greenwood High School. He went on to play basketball for his father, the late Edwin Matthews, at Southwest Missouri State University. During his college basketball career, Edsel received the Virgil Cheek Student-Athlete Award, the MIAA Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award, and served as team captain his senior season.

His coaching career started in 1964 at Parkview High School, where he worked as an assistant to Coach Bill Harding. The Harding-Matthews coaching duo led the Jolly Green Giants to a state championship in 1965. Edsel then served two years in the Army. While stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, he coached the Army base's team, The Hilltoppers, to the Fifth Army Tournament Title in 1966 and then to third place in 1967.

Edsel's path as a coach led him back to Springfield, this time to Drury University, as the assistant men's basketball coach. Once again, Edsel teamed up with Bill Harding. In 1971, Edsel transitioned to the head coaching position. The success of the Drury men's basketball team soared with Edsel at the helm. In his first season as head coach, the Panthers went 21-7, earning him the honor of NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year.

The Panthers winning streak culminated during the 1977-1978 season when they achieved a No. 1 in the nation ranking. That season, Edsel was awarded the NAIA National Coach of the Year and honored by Basketball Weekly as its College Division National Coach of the Year.  The team he developed would go on to win the NAIA championship the next year.

In 1978, Edsel assumed the position of Director of Athletics for Springfield Public Schools. During his 25-year tenure with Springfield Public Schools, Edsel facilitated strategies to increase student involvement in sports and other extracurricular activities. Under his direction, student participation in sports and activities increased from 15 percent to 50 percent and the number of sports offered rose to 20. He was named the Missouri Athletic Director of the Year in 1984 and received the National Award of Merit in 1990, acknowledging him as one of the top administrators in America.

In addition, he founded two nationally top 10 ranked basketball tournaments: the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions and KTXR Lady Classic. In 2019, Edsel was the first person to be inducted into the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Hall of Fame.

Upon his retirement from Springfield Public Schools, Edsel returned to Drury University to serve as athletic director. During his second stint at Drury, Edsel guided the sports programs to new levels of excellence, transitioned the programs to the highly competitive Great Lakes Valley Conference, and spearheaded facility improvements. He was also instrumental in raising the funds for the construction of the O'Reilly Family Events Center on Drury's campus.

Edsel was a true outdoorsman. In addition to his love for hunting, fishing, and golfing, he raised registered purebred cattle for decades including Limousin, Angus, Simmental, and Red Angus. He served as the chairman of the first National Junior Limousin Heifer Show and All-American Futurity.

Additionally, he held a passion for youth in agriculture and the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and Event Center, serving on the Ozark Empire Fair Board for more than 40 years. Edsel received the Ozark Empire Fair's Gold Buckle Gala Pioneer Award and the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Heritage Award for his years of service.

Edsel was inducted into numerous halls of fame including the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Springfield Area Sporting Hall of Fame, Drury University Sports Hall of Fame, Greenwood High School Sports Hall of Fame, and Missouri Limousin Cattle Breeders Hall of Fame.

He served as president of the Springfield Area Hall of Fame and president of Missouri State High School Activities Association. As a member of University Heights Baptist Church since 1952, Edsel taught Sunday School classes and served as chairman of the church's board of deacons. In recent years, Edsel and Becky joined Northside Christian Church to worship each week with their children and grandchildren.

Edsel was born on January 27, 1941, in Springfield, Missouri, to Edwin and Bernice Matthews. He is survived by his wife, Becky, and three children: Beth (Chris) Harville, Cheryl (Steve) Kepes, and Mark (Brandy) Matthews. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Taylor (Zoe) Harville, Lauren Harville, Payten Harville, Mia Matthews, Alexandria Kepes, and Rebecca Kepes, plus two great-grandchildren: Obadiah and Naomi Harville. He is also survived by his sister, Buanna (Dan) Beach, his brother-in-law, Larry (Carol) Suit, and their families. He was proceeded in death by his brother-in-law Jon Suit.

All of Edsel's accomplishments and honors pale in comparison to his steadfast faith and belief in Jesus Christ. He lived a life devoted to God above all else.  One of his most cherished verses is 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

A visitation and memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Northside Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with the service directly following at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northside Christian Church and Drury University Athletics.