Corwin “Corky” Armstead Matthews

After a long and determined battle with cancer, Corwin "Corky" Armstead Matthews passed away peacefully at his home in Wasilla, AK. Corky was born and raised in Spokane, WA, where he met and married his wife of almost 62 years, Beverly Ann Cashatt. He is survived by his wife, their three daughters; Christi Horst, Cathi Kramer (Bill) and Tammi Ridgway (David), six grandchildren; Lindsay Youngs, Stephanie Hudson, Matthew Ridgway, Kevin Kramer, Scott Kramer and Megan Hundley and four great grandchildren Serena, Kylie, Braxton and Cameron Hundley. An avid mechanic, he started wrenching and racing young, with lifelong friend, Tom Shaw. Anything with a throttle could be fabricated and raced. His prowess spanned to dragsters, hydroplanes, snow machines, and a garage full of other projects. He was also an avid race fan, especially NASCAR. Family and friends knew how sacred race days were for Corky. In 1971, Corky moved his family to Anchorage, Alaska to open the first Pay 'n Pak store. He fell in love with the state and never looked back. He went on to manage Arrow Lumber and SBS/Galco before retiring to Lake Louise, Alaska, in 1994. Over the next 20 years, he worked with friends and neighbors at Lake Louise to build a team of emergency responders and helped to obtain grants for much needed equipment, including the Matthews Public Safety Building. Corky was also one of the founding members of the Wolf Pack snow machine club at Lake Louise. The club has worked hard to build and maintain over 200 miles of winter trails for all to enjoy. Corkys trail ends, where so many of his adventures began, at mile 17 of the Eureka trail. A commemorative plaque will be placed there in his honor. A celebration of Corky's life will be held this summer at Lake Louise Lodge. Donations can be made in Corky's name at lakelouisesnowmachineclub.com.