Rolla John Matheny, Jr., 76, of Valrico, Florida passed away in the early morning of September 17, 2018, from injuries following an accidental fall. John was born on December 8, 1941 in Charleston, West Virginia, son of the Reverend Rolla John Matheny, Sr., and Nelle Isaac Matheny. He grew up in West Virginia, graduating from Huntington East High School where he played trumpet in the band, was an original member of the Lads & Lassies singing group, played on the tennis team, and served as student body president. He attended West Virginia Institute of Technology where he played trumpet and bass, was active in the theater department, played varsity football and tennis, and received a bachelor's degree with a double major in English Literature Education and Music Education. During this time, he worked as a radio announcer for WMON in Montgomery, West Virginia and performed often in jazz combos for numerous events, including the Montreal World's Fair in 1967.

He taught band, chorus, and orchestra in several high schools in West Virginia and Ohio, including 11 years at Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Ohio where his choir earned numerous superior ratings at state choral festivals and was selected to perform at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association. It was at this time that he met Rona Fries, a fellow choir director, at a high school choral festival. They sat beside each other at lunch and, despite him telling her how he could help "fix" her choir, they exchanged letters that led to their marriage. John and Rona wed on April 6, 1972 and had two children, Kristen and Kevin. While in Cambridge, they opened The Note Factory music studio and served as choir director and organist at First Presbyterian Church of Cambridge.  They created and marketed, with John's brother Art, music education computer programs, some of the first of their kind. John later taught chorus at Buckeye Trail High School in nearby Old Washington, Ohio. John also coached tennis at Cambridge High School, performed with the Matheny Jazz Combo, directed and performed in community theater productions, and served on the School Board for Cambridge City Schools.

In 1988, John was hired to be the choir director at Brandon High School in Brandon, Florida.  He taught chorus, guitar, drama, and orchestra for Hillsborough County Schools for 16 years, finishing his teaching at Jefferson High School in Tampa, Florida. Throughout his career, he authored articles published in professional journals, was an esteemed vocal judge at vocal solo and choral adjudications, and was invited to serve as a clinician for honor choruses. Later in his career, he began composing music for choir, orchestra, and handbells.  He was handbell choir director at New Hope United Methodist Church from 1989 through the present and had several published handbell arrangements.

Upon retiring from teaching, he became active in the local independent film industry in Tampa.  A jack of all trades, he scripted, directed, filmed, acted, edited, and composed for numerous films and documentaries, winning awards in a number of film festivals.  He was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed supporting local college and professional teams. He maintained a voice studio and continued to be active in the American Choral Director's Association.  He is survived by his wife Rona, daughter Kristen (Garrett) Franzen, son Kevin (Elizabeth), brothers Art and Gary, grandchildren Alexander Matheny, Nora Franzen, Zachary Matheny, and Nolan Franzen. A memorial service will be held at New Hope United Methodist Church (120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon, Florida 33510) on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 2:30 pm with a reception to follow. He will be laid to rest at Serenity Meadows in Riverview, Florida.