PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — One of the strongest forces of the Civil Rights Movement along the Gulf Coast, Reverend H.K. Matthews, passed away on Monday at 97 years old.
"He was very caring," long-time friend Michael Jackson said. "He cared for my family; he cared for your family."
Reverend Matthews advocated for the integration and equal hiring of the Black community in downtown Pensacola during the 1960s. He led many counterprotests in Downtown Pensacola, with one of the most memorable being to remove the "Rebel" mascot formerly used by Escambia High School.
He was arrested 35 times in his fight for equality.
Jackson remembered being beside the late reverend in times of trouble.
"I was his eyes and ears, and I would sit there, and I would tell him, 'You get rest, I'm going to watch," said Jackson. "I was happy to get that opportunity to do that, you know, never thought it would come this far."
In the late 1970s, Reverend Matthews was blacklisted out of Pensacola and moved back to his hometown of Brewton, Alabama.
As a dedication to his honor, the city of Pensacola renamed an East Hill park on 12th Street, "Rev. H.K. Matthews Park" in 2006.
"He was just a go-getter, and he believed in doing everything, you know," said Jackson. "So, when he got to where he couldn't do it, I just asked the Lord, don't let him suffer."
"We'll never find another H.K.," he added.
