Kenneth Mathis

Kenneth Richard Mathis, 73, of State College, PA died at his home with his wife, Alma and life-long friend, Bernie by his side on Friday, July 1, 2022. He was born February 2, 1949, in Rochester, NY.

Ken was everyone's best friend. He was special to everyone and everyone was special to him. He was a thoughtful, kind, considerate, fun-loving, Grateful Dead loving, warm-hearted guy. He was also very concerned with human rights and ethics in politics. He was 1972 graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and he maintained life-long relationships with several of his college and fraternity buddies, and many of his work colleagues from the Philadelphia and Smith Mountain Lake areas. In his early 30’s, Ken lived in an old farmhouse with several friends where after work, they all relaxed drinking gin and tonic, engaged in lively conversation, and playing “attic golf”. After retirement, he took up cooking and baking, and learned to make his Aunt Lauretta’s famous Lemon Angel Pie.

His first job was in West Philadelphia at Western Savings Bank, he then worked for various companies including Roy F. Weston Company, CertainTeed Corporation, (where he met his beloved Alma), Information Strategies, Inc., Tweeds, J. Crew, and Cap Gemini Consulting where he helped modify computer systems to fix the Y2K bug.
In 1989, Ken and Alma moved to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia and built their lake house where family and friends enjoyed many relaxing visits on the water. His five grandchildren loved playing on the sandy beach, building sand castles, canoeing, water skiing, and being pulled on a tube by PopPop. When they were little to their delight, PopPop allowed each grandchild to steer the boat.

Ken and Alma moved to State College in 2015, where they met many new friends and enjoyed many walks on campus and visiting the Nittany Lion. Ken was passionate about helping people especially when they needed food to avoid being hungry so he worked for the State College Food Bank for many years. His friends there were very supportive during his illness and sent cards of encouragement.

In addition to his wife, Alma Easter Ivey-Mathis, Ken is survived by children Sheila Flexer (Ed), grandson Eddie, grandson Alex (AJ) Iorio (Brittany), great granddaughter, Salem, and Rick Ivey (Nina), grandson Austin, granddaughter Katlyn, brother-in-law Ray Easter (Elaine), sister-in-law Verlea Easter, sister-in-law Gracie Orser, sister-in-law Mary Jannuzzio, niece Maria (Dan) Mitsdarfer, niece Marcia Manno (Rob), brother-in-law Denny Easter, special cousins William Mathis (Charleen), Carol Kalmbacher (Charles), all of Rochester, NY, and Gail Dodd of Schwenksville, PA, cousin Marian Roth of Green Valley, AZ and many special nieces, nephews, and great nieces.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Helen Mathis, aunts Florence and Lauretta Schantz, great aunt Lauretta Roth, uncle Herb Mathis (Pearl) all of Rochester, NY; and grandson Jamie Iorio of Delaware, and brothers-in-law Russell and Eli Easter and sisters-in-law Ruth Tolbert and Rosea Berry.
Memorial Contributions in Ken’s memory can be made to the State College Food Bank at 1321 S Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801.

To share a memory, go to www.pasimplecremation.com