Lenon Gershon (LG) Mathis

Mr. Lenon Gershon (LG) Mathis, 92, of Cumming, Georgia, passed away Monday, June 5, 2017, at his daughter's home in Carrolton, Georgia.  A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, June 8, at 12:00 noon at the Ingram Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Doug Carnes and Pastor Danny Brannon officiating.  Interment will follow at Cross Plains Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the service.

LG was born October 25, 1924 in Cumming, Georgia to Lettie H. Mathis and Doc Raymond Mathis.  On June 14, 1947, he married the love of his life, Ms. Rudean Anderson.

LG was self-employed. He started a hobby that turned into a full-time occupation.  It began when he returned home to South Forsyth County after serving in the Navy.  LG first developed an interest in flying while aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Randolph, during World War II.  Not a pilot himself, LG heard the call of the skies from watching Navy pilots who flew from the carrier.  His interest in planes and flying remained with him when the war ended and years later he took to the skies and earned his pilot's license in 1959, and bought his first airplane in 1960 to fly out of the airstrip he had built while taking flying lessons.  LG soon got his  instructor's license and opened his airfield, "Mathis Airport", for business, starting with a dirt runway only 800 feet long. Over the years, LG had lengthened and asphalted the runway, first to 1200 feet, and finally to 1600 feet.  LG trained people to fly, carried passengers over scenic Lake Lanier, and rebuilt old planes.  LG was the "best" pilot to ever fly off the runway at Mathis Airport.  LG taught his older brother how to fly and sold him his beloved airport when he retired.

LG and his wife both loved bluegrass and country music. He learned to play the mandolin and opened a music barn, "The Chicken House", where he played every Saturday night for over 20 years.  LG collected and restored Corvair cars and antique tractors.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Rudean A. Mathis and daughter, Martha Jean Mathis; along with both his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

Survivors include 4 children, Danny Charles Mathis and his wife, Janis Mathis, Teresa Ann McLaughlin and her husband, Patrick McLaughlin, Marilyn Diane Cheek and her husband, Greg Cheek, Sharon Lynn Parker and her husband, Steve Parker; 9 grandchildren, Kristie Kilgore, Michelle Wilson, Misty Small, Cherie Brannon, Doug Mathis, Gregory Dexter Cheek, Jr., Barry Parker, Cindy Austin, and Dane Blake Cheek; 9 great grandchildren, Tyler, Cole and Gracie Wilson, Jacob and Kendal Mathis, Daniel and Danica Brannon, Presley and William Cheek; a brother, Doc Raymond Mathis, Jr.; and 2 sisters, Sara Fay Raper and Martha Ree Thrasher.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Gregory Dexter Cheek, Jr., Dane Blake Cheek, Doug Mathis, Jamie McLaughlin, Barry Parker, and Brian Austin.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.