Memorials › Ernest James “E J” Matlock

Ernest James “E J” Matlock

5 Nov 1926 – 29 Nov 2019

Birth5 Nov 1926
Death29 Nov 2019
CemeteryDavis-Greenlawn Cemetery
Rosenberg , Fort Bend County , Texas , USA
Added byHelen Dolezal on 24 Jan 2020
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203388922

Bio

Ernest James "E.J." Matlock, 93, of Houston,Texas, passed away on Friday, November 29th, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Ernest was born on November 5th, 1926 in Columbus, Texas to Jim and Bessie (Dolezal) Matlock. Two months after his birth, his mother died from pneumonia. After a period of mourning, his father decided to seek both a wife, and a mother for his son. Jim married Mary Macek in July,1928. Ernest gained two sisters at this time, Frances (Denton) and Amelia (Tofte). His father and new mother went on to have four additional children; Annie Mae (Rejsek), Rosie (Rogers), James, and Helen (Heimann). Ernest grew up on a farm in Booth, Texas. He picked cotton and harvested corn until he was old enough to enlist in the service. During World War II, he served honorably in the Pacific as a member of the U.S. Navy. He worked on a P.T. boat, delivering supplies to the troops onshore. He was injured after one of the boats he was working on blew up on its way to deliver explosives. After the war, Ernest moved to Houston. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Regina Thompson. They shared their life with one daughter and five sons. Most of Ernest's career was spent in the grocery business, particularly in produce. Over the years, he worked for various retail grocery stores such as Weingarten's, Food Giant, and Gerland's. When Ernest and Regina moved to Dime Box, Texas in the late 70s, he worked for a construction company, then Brookshire Brothers in Giddings, Texas. Later, he worked for the school, feed store, and lumber company, all in Dime Box. There were many other jobs in between during his life. He was a fine provider for his family. He and Regina were members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Stafford, Tx, St Joseph's Catholic Church in Dime Box, Tx, and St Leo's Catholic Church in Houston, Tx during their marriage. Most recently, they were given pastoral care by the lay ministers at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Houston, Tx while residing at their nursing home. In addition to his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by all of his siblings, and his son, Quinn Gerard Matlock. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Regina; children, Diane (Joe) Roberts, Jerry (Arlene) Matlock, David (Peggy) Matlock, Robert (Thao Ly) Matlock, James (Paria) Matlock; grandchildren Vincent and Gina Roberts, Matthew and Joseph Matlock, and step grandchildren Brian (Anna) and Blake (Amy) Boyter; 5 great grandchildren; his 92 years young Aunt Annie Dolezal of Palacios, Tx, her children Helen and Billy Dolezal, and a large extended family, as well as many friends. His services, officiated by Deacon Don Ries of Richmond, were held Tuesday, December 3rd in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg, Tx. He was buried afterwards with military honors by American Legion Post 271 of Rosenberg in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Serving proudly as pallbearers were grandchildren and nephews, Vincent, Gina, and Michael Roberts, Matthew Matlock, John Heimann, and Terry Matlock. We thank all of you mentioned above for your service to our family. The Matlock family would like to thank Dr. M. Hanif and all other doctors, nurses and staff who assisted in Ernest's care during his five years at Willowbrook RRC, especially in his final weeks. We would also like to thank Davis-Greenlawn, especially Tyler and Kathy, for their impeccable care and attention to our needs during our time of sorrow. Words of condolence may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. If desired, donations may be made in Ernest's name to Wounded Warriors. Written by daughter, Diane Matlock Roberts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My Dad was born on November 5, 1926 in Columbus, Texas. His parents had immigrated from Czechoslovakia around the turn of the century. His real mother died when he was a baby and his father remarried so he had a fairly large family. All of his siblings preceded him in death so he was the "last man standing" in his family. My Dad grew up on a farm in Booth, Texas. He left home at the age of 16 to fight in World War II - he was in the Navy and saw action in the Pacific. When he returned to the states after the war was over, he rode back to Texas (from California) on the back of a motorcycle. He was working for a pest control company in Houston when he met my Mom. They were married on November 4th, 1950. He worked various jobs in his early career (Coca Cola, Borden, Ford Motor Co.) and attended the University of Houston to earn a technical degree. He eventually wound up in the grocery business and worked there for most of his career. Dad always had a love for the country life, so he & my Mom moved to Old Dime Box, Texas in the late seventies. They lived there for 20 years before moving back to Houston. Dad was very organized and liked everything to be in place where it belonged. He taught his children the values of faith, honesty, hard work, respect, self-discipline, and responsibility. I can always remember him saying, "if you're going to do something, do it right." He raised 6 children on his salary while Mom stayed at home and took care of the kids. He found time to be our baseball coach, teach us how to work (doing chores), and was able to take us to so many events - Houston Fatstock Show (as it was called then), the Harlem Globetrotters, the circus, Houston wrestling, Houston Astros, Houston Oilers, Astroworld, racing at Joseph Meyer Speedway, vacations all over Texas, etc. He would always stop to read the roadside markers just so he could learn something new and it seemed like he always had a fact or story about every place we went. He liked to read, fish, hunt, watch sports and the news. He liked to tell stories and he had a lot of stories from his long life. His body gradually wore down over the past few months and he died peacefully in his sleep on Thanksgiving night. While we mourn his loss, we cherish the memories and give thanks for all that he did for us and all that he taught us. Written by son Robert Matlock

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