PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) – Rev. HK Matthews, one of the most powerful forces of the civil rights movement along the Gulf Coast, passed away Monday at the age of 97.
“He was very considerate,” said longtime friend Michael Jackson. “He took care of my family. He took care of your family.”
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Pastor Matthews advocated for the integration and equal employment of black communities in downtown Pensacola in the 1960s. He leads many opponents in downtown Pensacola, and is most memorable to remove the “Rebel” mascot, previously used at Escambia High School.
He was arrested 35 times in the fight for equality.
Jackson recalled being by the late pastor’s side at the time of his troubles.
“I was his eyes and ears, so I sat there and told him, ‘You’ll rest and I’m going to see,'” Jackson said. “I was happy to have the opportunity to do that, you know, I didn’t expect it to come this far.”
In the late 1970s, Rev. Matthews was blacklisted by Pensacola and returned to his hometown of Brewton, Alabama.
In his dedication to his honor, the city of Pensacola changed its name to East Hill Park in 2006, “HK Matthews Park Rev. HK Matthews Park.”
“He was just a go-getter and he believed in doing everything,” Jackson said. “So when I got to a place where he couldn’t do it, I just asked the Lord, don’t torment him.”
“We’re never going to find another HK,” he added.
