Valley man is now oldest person in America

Clarence “Larry” Matthews of Indian Wells is the oldest verified American, according to Assemblyman Chad Mayes’ office.

Matthews turned 110 on May 1, 2016, and lives in the Indian Wells Country Club, where he and his wife Kay moved in 1972.

Mayes will present Matthews with a resolution from the State Assembly on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the at the Indian Wells Council Chamber (44-950 El Dorado Drive).

The public is invited to attend.

“It is an honor to have this opportunity to recognize Mr. Matthews and celebrate his incredible life,” said Mayes. “It is a great source of pride that so fine an individual as Mr. Matthews resides within the 42nd Assembly District.”

According to Mayes, Matthews was born in Oakland, CA. He graduated high school and immediately began working to help support his parents and eight siblings. Eventually Matthews relocated to the San Fernando Valley and worked as a credit manager for many department stores and also had a career in the construction business.

Fellow Indian Wells Country club resident Larry “Bear” Bonafide knocked on Matthews home one day while Bonafide was running for City Council. At that time Matthews was 106. He’s kept in touch with him ever since.

“It’s amazing to have someone right here, who’s that old!” says Bonafide. “We threw him a birthday party at the Indian Wells Country Club where he’s been a member for many years.”

“I put a banner up that said ‘Oldest Man in the World,’ and his son said, ‘he’s not the oldest,'” says Bonafide. “And ironically, the next day he actually became the oldest man in the country,” says Bonafide.

“He’s just a really nice man,” says Bonafide. He added that Matthews has a sister who’s 105 years old.

“He’s still sharp as a tack, but just very hard of hearing, and his memory is remarkably good. He was asked who his favorite President was (he said President Reagan,” says Bonafide.