The Reverend Dr. Harry Ray "Mustard" Mathis, Sr. ofWilmington, North Carolina passed away Monday, October 27, 2014 at New HanoverRegional Medical Center.

He was a retired educator, accountant and minister.He was a member of the Lions Club and VFWPost 2573.

Harry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Thelma Laws Mathis;four sons, Harry Ray Mathis, Jr. and wife Laura of Woodstock, GA; David WayneMathis and wife Karen Marie of Reidsville, NC; James Philip Mathis of Raleigh,NC; John Patrick Mathis and wife Kathy of Greenville, NC; 7 grandchildren and 7great-grandchildren.

Harry grew up in Sunset Park and was a graduate of NewHanover High School.He served fiveyears in the U.S. Army at General McArthur's Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and inthe 82 ^nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC.In the years following the Army, Harry workedas an accountant while attending Worth Business College and then Pembroke StateCollege. Next, he entered Southeastern Seminary, receiving a Bachelor ofDivinity degree.He served Union andHebron Congregational Christian Churches in Virginia, VA and FirstCongregational Church in Henderson, NC.Harry then entered the field of education.He received an M.Ed. from the University ofNorth Carolina Greensboro and an Ed.D. fromNorth Carolina State University.Hetaught accounting at Rowan Technical Community College, Morehead StateUniversity and the University of the District of Columbia.Harry was a Certified Public Accountant,Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.Harry was author of two books, "Alongthe Border" and "The History of Tileston School".

The family will receive friends Sunday evening, November 2,2014, from 6 to 8 pm at Jernigan Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville.A graveside service will be held at 11 am onMonday, November 3, 2014, at Post Cemetery on Ft. Bragg NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either theNature Conservancy or CARE.