News Archive: 2005

Los Angeles, CA – Gene Autry Entertainment is sad to report the death of Jack Mathis, Republic Pictures historian and author of the Republic Confidential books. Jack died Thursday, Oct. 13, of natural causes in his South Barrington home. He was a wealth of information on Republic and very generous to us with his knowledge of Gene Autry and the studio.

Last week we received his proof pages on Gene Autry for his third Republic Confidential book which features every film released by Republic Pictures. We have been providing photos and information to Jack and he was making sure everything was perfect on Gene for this book.

Karla Buhlman, Vice President of Gene Autry Entertainment, spoke with Jack many times but never got to meet him in person. "Jack was a wonderful man. He knew everything there was to know about Republic Pictures and generously shared his thorough expertise on Gene Autry and the studio with us. Jack’s research on the correct Republic logos was a key element to our restoration of Gene Autry’s early films. Our phone conversations were informative and fun and always left me with a smile. Jack will be dearly missed."

Memorial contributions honoring Jack Mathis may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2323 N. Mayfair Rd., No. 502, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.

Read the Chicago Tribune obituary on Jack Mathis here
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Read the LA Times obituary on Jack Mathis here
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