Joseph Bryan Mathews passed away unexpectedly on January 10, 2024, at the age of 62.  We are all devastated by this huge loss.  Joe was a brother to many and will be sorely missed and forever remembered.

Joe was born on December 9, 1961, in Lewiston, Idaho to Pete and Sherri Mathews.  He grew up in Lewiston, attending grade and junior high schools until he moved to Juliaetta, Idaho with his dad.  He attended Kendrick High School where he made many lifelong friends whom he had remained in contact with until his passing.  He grew up hunting and fishing and he loved being outdoors.  Most recently he took up scuba diving and it was his passion to travel to many destinations to experience the beauty in the ocean.  Joe loved to cook and bake and was very good at it.  He was always thinking about the next recipe he wanted to try or the next pie he wanted to make.  Joe had an awesome sense of humor; he kept people rolling in laughter because he could find humor in the most mundane life circumstances.  Joe's personality was contagious to everyone he met.  He could bring a smile to your face and laugh along at you or with you.  He had many stories to tell of his adventurous life that will live on forever.

Joe worked at various jobs while growing up and there was nothing he could not do.  He logged, was a boat operator for the CPTPA, operated farm equipment, drove trucks, fought forest fires and finally began building powerlines like his dad.  During his career, he held many positions including being an equipment operator and foreman in many different disciplines such as road building, foundation drilling, and setting and pouring.  He was also a foreman in blasting operations on the front end and ran pullers during the wire-pulling phase.

Joe completed 25 years of service with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  He worked out of local Union Hall 77.  The employers he worked for over the years include but may not be limited to the following:  Bart Associates, Parr, Mustang, Great Southwestern, Henkels & McCoy, Power Com, Wilson Construction, T&D Power and International Line Builders.

While working for Wilson Construction, the company had a part in the construction of Jackson Holes' new aerial tram.  A documentary was originally broadcast on National Geographic Television and then came out on a CD.  The documentary is "Cable to the Sky".  Joe had a speaking part in this documentary.

Also, while working for Wilson Construction, the company constructed a powerline in the Alaska Wilderness.  Joe was pictured in the documentary and it can be seen on YouTube.  The documentary is called "Powerline Alaska" and is well worth watching.  It gives you a perspective of what these hardworking men do and the dangers they face in this line of work.

Joe loved his job, was very good at it, and traveled all over the United States.  In 2005, when going through a job location change to Washington, he was introduced to his future wife, Susie, by their longtime friends.  It was love at first sight!  They married in Lewiston on May 24, 2013.  In 2014, they made their home in Priest River, Idaho, where Susie grew up, spent some of their free time at their cabin on Priest Lake and traveled.  The love they have for each other was apparent to everyone they meet.  Joe loved his work family and friends as much as he loved his real family.  Joe never met a stranger and would literally give you the shirt off his back.

Over the years, Joe acquired many nicknames by his friends and work families.  They include: Mattress, Master Blaster, Joe Cool, Joe it all, The Red Rocket, The Big Lebowski (The Dude), and Aunt Joe.  Joe's friends and family have reached out and have expressed some of the following messages and condolences which we truly appreciate:  "He was loved by all who knew him.  Became fast friends with him in High School when his colorful family moved to Juliaetta.  Guys wanted to be like him and gals wanted to be on his arm.  Very popular for a good reason; He was a rare person and I don't think I have known anyone with his charisma; Joe was an amazing person and will be missed by so many people whose lives he has touched; Joe was that guy you wanted in your corner.  He was loving, caring, fun, mischievous and he would go to battle in defense of his family of friends; Joe was one of a kind and will always be in our hearts; Joe was an adventurous amazing soul; Joe was larger than life; Joe was a giant teddy bear with a heart of gold; RIP Mattress.  We love you.  Thank you for all the memories."

Joe is survived by his wife, Susie Mathews, his fur babies, Digger and Jackson, his stepsons, Richard Miller and his son Mason, Sean Dimeo and his wife Sara, and Marcus Dimeo, his sister Michelle Milton and brother-in-law Ron, niece Kelsi Milton, nephews Ron Milton, and Corey and Jake Mathews, and many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Sherri Mathews, brother Chris Mathews, and his beloved companion Gus.

Joe's final resting place will be on his property in Priest River, Idaho.  Because Joe celebrated life, no formal funeral service is planned, instead, he will be honored with an outdoor Celebration of Life and BBQ to be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Joe and Susie's home in Priest River, beginning at noon.