Page created by: Jayhea Mathews

Friday Mathews Sr. Was diagnosed with Parkinson's 11 yrs ago. It dramatically changed his active life. Born in Liberia, West Africa, my Dad's journey began with a leap of faith to come to the United States to attend Prairie View A&M University in 1973. It was there that he not only laid the foundation for his future as a brilliant mechanical engineer but also met my Mom.

Dad's life was a masterclass in perseverance, kindness, and unwavering faith. As a mechanical engineer at Honeywell, he applied his sharp mind and creative spirit to solve complex problems. But his ingenuity wasn't confined to the workplace. Many of you might not know this, but Dad was a true jack-of-all-trades. He designed the home we grew up in, could fix anything from a broken toy to a car engine, and had a particular talent for making the impossible possible.

One of Dad's most admirable qualities was his commitment to giving back. He never forgot his roots in Liberia and was passionate about creating opportunities for others. He established businesses that helped people support themselves and their families, embodying the proverb, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."

Faith was the cornerstone of Dad's life. A devout Christian, he lived his beliefs every day, not just through words but through actions.

Even when he could no longer walk he never let Parkinson's stop him from checking on friends and family. This disease took my Dad too soon and we have to fight to find a cure.