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- James Matlock, 81, of Magnet, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Wharton, Texas. James was born in Booth, Texas, on August 1, 1935, to Jim & Mary Takats Macek Matlock.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Frances Macek Denton and husband W.G. "Bill", Amelia Macek Tofte and husband Norman, Annie Mae Matlock Rejsek and husband Stanley, Rosie Matlock Rejsek Rogers, and Helen Matlock Heimann and husband Johnny. His is also preceded in death by nieces and nephews, Sharon Tofte, Eugene Heimann, Charles "Charlie" Rejsek, and Stanley Rejsek, Jr.
James is survived by his three children, Sandra Matlock Wilkerson and husband Mark of Baytown, Judy Matlock Dobesh and husband Darwin of Magnet, and Terry Matlock and wife Wendy (Ray) of Needville. Grandchildren are Jarrett Wilkerson and wife Brandi (Holden) of Baytown, Jonathon Dobesh of Magnet, Blake Dobesh and wife Jackie (Wilson) of Magnet, Karissa Dobesh Reid and husband Douglas of Sweeny, Terry Matlock, Jr., Amber Matlock, Tyler Matlock, Autumn Matlock, Taylor Matlock, Ashton Matlock, Austin Matlock, and Aj'a Matlock. Great-grandchildren are AliRae Dobesh, Lainey Dobesh, Kendall Dobesh, and Caylin Wilkerson. Step-great-grandchildren are Briley Santos, Adalyn Santos. James is also survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Regina Thompson Matlock of Houston, one brother-in-law, Steve Rogers of Fresno, and numerous nieces and nephews.
After being raised on a cotton farm in Booth, attending school through the 8th grade, and working at a cotton gin, James joined the U.S. Army in 1955. He served three years in the army as an aircraft mechanic, was then transferred to reserve duty, and was honorably discharged in 1962. James had a long career in public service, which was sprinkled in with a host of other jobs including owning a service station and a bar. James was the first Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) with the Fort Bend County Ambulance Service. He served as a commissioned peace officer for the Rosenberg Police Department, the Wharton Police Department, and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department. James also served one term as Justice of the Peace for Fort Bend County Precinct 1. James eventually retired with over fifteen years of service as a Correctional Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. James was a longtime member of the American Legion and a life member of the 100 Club.
James loved fishing, playing dominoes and telling stories about his life's adventures. During his first marriage, he and his father-in-law won quite a few domino tournaments. As an EMT, James resuscitated a nine-year-old girl and delivered three babies. When he was with the Rosenberg Police Department, he was involved in apprehending a "Most Wanted" criminal who had been casing a local bank preparing for a robbery. He would also tell the story of how he would load up a cooler full of beer, head offshore in his boat, and convince the commercial shrimpers to exchange pounds and pounds of their shrimp for just a six-pack or two of his beer.
Visitation will be held at Caballero Ryder Funeral Home in Rosenberg on Sunday, June 4, 2017, from 4pm to 7pm. Graveside services will be held at West Gethsemane Cemetery on Highway 36 in Rosenberg on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in James' memory to the 100 Club, 5555 San Felipe, Suite 1750, Houston, Texas 77056-5527, www.the100club.org. [2]
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