Fred R. Mathis, Jr., 59, passed away peacefully, December 31, 2016. Known to everyone as "Ricky", our dad was one to always make sure everyone was okay, and had smiles on their faces.

Our father was the youngest child of Fred "Tamp" Mathis, Sr., and Gloria Gene Hudson-Mathis. Born in Dyersburg, TN, Dad, attended Dyersburg High School, where he played football. After graduating from High School, Dad, joined the United States Navy, where he traveled the world, and "stayed out of the way, below sea level". After serving in the U.S. Navy, our dad came to Toledo, Ohio, and worked at Toledo Jeep for 21 years. There, he was known for the fresh cooked lunches made on the line and his genuine kind-heartedness. He was our "gentle giant".

Dad was preceded in death by our grandparents, "Tamp" and Gloria Gene Mathis, and our uncle, Elder Zebadiah Rice. He is survived by our aunt, Veda Ervin, and our uncles, David Mathis and Marcus (Renee) Mathis.

He left his tools of survival and legacy to his three children, sons, Christopher (Autumn) Russell, and Christopher Banks; daughter, Waverly Hill-Mathis: his eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, his special friend, Carmen Gibson, a host of cousins, that are more like siblings, and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, at The House of Day Funeral Service.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 11:00 am, preceded by a 10:00 am Wake, at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1401 Hoag St, Toledo, Ohio 43607, Pastor Raymond Bishop, Officiating.