George Matthews
George Matthews drowned Friday, Sept. 15, while skin diving in approximately 20 feet of water at Half Moon Bay.
Matthews and his son Harley were skin diving together off the point beyond the Yacht Association area. The young Matthews discovered that his father was in trouble, and he brought him to the surface.
With the help of Saudi Arabs Salim Abdulla, an Aramco employee, and Abdulla Turki, a former employee of Aramco, who were on shore nearby, Matthews was brought to the shore. Salim Abdulla then drove Matthews to the Dhahran Health Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the Theater.
Matthews, who was born Nov. 22, 1919, in Oklahoma City, Okla., was hired by Aramco July 16, 1948, and arrived in Dhahran July 22, as a Journeyman Mechanic in the Transportation department. On Dec. 1, 1950, he was made Lead Truck Mechanic, and in January, 1952, he was appointed a Unit Trainer (automotive mechanic). On Nov. 8, 1955, Matthews was made Automotive Inspector.
On Jan. 1, 1958, Matthews was appointed Vocational Instructor (Arabic speaking) in the Industrial Training Shops, Dhahran District, Training division, Industrial Relations department.
Surviving Matthews are his widow Marcille, a married daughter Gale in Oklahoma City, and his son Harley George, who was graduated from the Dhahran School last July. [Photograph]