Dr. Harvey Patrick Mathis

November 30, 1938-December 30, 2021

Dr. Harvey Patrick Mathis of Panama City, Florida passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021 surrounded by his wife and daughters at the age of 83.  Pat was born in Panama City, Florida to Harvey D. Mathis and Marjorie Russ Mathis.  He was their second born child and oldest son of five children.

Pat was a proud graduate of the Bay High School Class of 1957 where he made lifelong friendships. He then attended Marion Military Institute and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Business. He graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN with a Doctorate in Optometry.   After graduating, he returned to his hometown of Panama City, Florida to begin his optometric practice.  There are countless stories of the special care he showed to his patients during his forty years of practice.  His southern roots were strong, and he was widely regarded as a true southern gentleman.

Pat spent much of his free time at the family farm. He loved hunting and fishing and especially enjoyed introducing his friends and grandchildren to the sports.  He hunted for deer, quail and turkeys.  Pat treated all fish equally regardless of their size. He'd catch them, fry them and share them with his friends and family. He and his siblings gave their best efforts to be real "farmers" and grew corn, watermelons, peas, cantaloupe and cucumbers and sometimes were even successful. Pat was an avid golfer and a member of the Panama City County Club.  He spent many Wednesdays and Saturdays on the golf course with the Courthouse Gang.

Pat loved giving back to his community.  He served as a board member of Anchorage Children's Home and was a member of the Lions Club and the Elks Lodge. He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon for two terms.   Pat was a member of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Military Affairs Committee.  In his younger years, Pat served in the United States Army Reserves.

The family wishes to express gratitude to Covenant Care Hospice and the special caregivers that spent time with Mr. Pat a/k/a The King.

Pat was preceded in death by his father, Harvey D Mathis; his mother, Marjorie Russ Mathis; his sister, Dee Mathis Redding and his sister-in-law, Beth Mathis.

Pat is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bernadette Mathis; daughters Pam Loper (Cobie) and Christina Melia (Matt); grandchildren Brooks Loper and Bailey Loper; beloved granddogs Sophie Jones, Leroy Brown and Professor Harrison Davis Higgins; brothers Russ Mathis (Sally), Charlie Mathis, Horace Mathis; brother-in-law Ben Redding and his cherished nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on January 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home.  A private family burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Covenant Care Hospice or to a charity of your choice. The family has requested that all in attendance for the service to please wear a mask.