Mr. Howard Lamar Mathis, Jr., 79, of Advance, died Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Lexington Health Care Center in Lexington.

He was born January 23, 1944, in Fort Lauderdale, Fl, to the late Howard Lamar Mathis, Jr. and Althea Cushing Mathis. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during the Vietnam War. Mr. Mathis was a member of Cornerstone Christian Church. Growing up in Florida gave him a love of boating, the sea, and deep-sea diving. Building and flying large remote-control planes, and later building and racing cars were great passions of his.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Marie Scullin Mathis; and children, Howard Lamar Mathis, III, (Darlene) of Duluth, GA, Jeff Mathis (Lory) of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Kennedy Mathis of Advance.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 2, at Cornerstone Christian Church with Pastor Kevin Frack officiating.

Online condolences www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com