Russell Lane Mathena

Russell “Rick” Mathena, 76, of Bluewell, WV, went home to his heavenly reward on Sunday, December 21, 2025. He closed his eyes for a nap and opened them to see the face of Jesus.

Rick was the son of the late Mildred and Tracy Christian and Russell Mathena. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Joanna; his “munchkins,” children Chad Mathena and Laurie Higgins, Jami and Robert Harvey, and Misty and Scotty Carpenter and grandchildren Ethan Harvey, Laken Harvey and Gage Thompson, Kyler Carpenter, and Brynley Carpenter; his sister, Peggy Grubb, and brother, Cary Christian and wife Suzi, his herd of cats, and thousands of camp kids who he considered his own.

Rick lived out Matthew 22:37-39. He loved the Lord his God with all his heart and soul and mind, and he loved others above himself. His love was evident in every aspect of his life in how he sacrificially served. He spent his life preaching, teaching, and leading as many people to Jesus as he could. He dedicated 45 years of his life in service as Camp Manager at Christian Acres Camp, where he saw tens of thousands of children and adults alike hear the good news of Jesus. Whether he was giving change and showing tricks during meals or fixing problems and mopping floors behind the scenes, Rick was the epitome of Galatians 5:13, never asking anyone to do something he wasn’t willing to first do himself. Always approachable in any situation, he was the embodiment of love and compassion.

He shared his immense knowledge with many students as a professor of Greek, English, History, Youth Ministry, and Revelation at Bluefield College of Evangelism. He was a master of passing on even the most difficult concepts in a way that everyone could understand. He was able to weave knowledge, humor, and wisdom into a lesson that kept you captivated at every turn. His teaching wasn’t just limited to students at BCE, but extended to multitudes of others during revivals, seminars, and classes all over the East Coast. So many were blessed to be able to sit under his teaching.

He served his community as chaplain of the Bluefield Rescue Squad, as a past chairman of WV Junior Miss, and as a longtime member of the Bluewell Lions Club. He served his community in many other capacities and was honored with community accolades too numerous to list.

He was generous with his time, talents, money, and jokes. He never met a stranger and loved to talk to anyone who would listen. He loved big and his absence has left an enormous hole in the lives of his family and many friends, but we take comfort in knowing where to find him. He’d love to invite you to come to know Jesus as your Savior so that one day you will be able to worship Jesus with him in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of “Tricky Ricky” to the Christian Acres scholarship fund at 1351 Evangelism Rd., Bluefield, WV 24701 or online at christianacres.camp

Visitation will be held at Rick’s home church, Maple View Church of Christ, on Saturday, December 27th from 11:00-2:00. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 with Dan Webb officiating. A graveside service will be held on Monday morning, December 29th. Friends may gather at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home at 10:30, or meet us at Grandview Memory Gardens at 11:00