Gerardo R. Matta

After 90 years of a life well-lived, Gerardo R. Matta (Gerardo Matta Recio) peacefully departed on April 30, 2020 surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren.
Gerardo, or “Señor Matta,” which he loved to hear, was a proud native of La Fama, Nuevo Leon in the vicinity of Monterrey, Mexico and took great pride in being a “regio.” As a youth, he traveled to San Antonio often until making San Antonio his home in his early 20s where he eventually raised his five children with his wife Virginia Martinez (deceased) on the westside.
He worked two jobs, 16 hours a day including weekends, the majority of his life as a short order cook at both Kelly Air Force Base and Oak Hills Bowling Alley. If you bowled at Oak Hills Bowling Alley in the 80s and 90s, you were in for a treat with his “famous” enchiladas. He leaves his family a legacy of a tremendous sense of responsibility and strong work ethic.
When listening to some of his favorite Mexican trios, big band, Frank Sinatra or blues music, he would recount the year that song was popular on the airwaves and where he was in life which most surely included dancing or sharing a drink with friends. He lived his life’s memories thru his love for music and dancing. Even in his last decade, Señor Matta had created some great memories with his grown grandchildren closing down the dancefloor on a European cruise and, just three years ago for his birthday, partying with them on Playa del Carmen’s hottest beach club well into the morning hours.
Wherever he spent his time, be it the fun, retirement years he lived in Cancun exploring the Mayan Riviera, Señor Matta’s easy-going spirit always ready for a gathering of friends was reflected in his signature cool “guayabera” and fedora. Señor Matta had a tremendous joy for life and was ready with a good “platica” which made him liked by many – from his contemporaries to his children’s and grandchildren’s friends. His amazing memory coupled with his positive outlook made for good conversations sprinkled with his “consejos y dichos.”
His independent spirit, his lively walk and salt and pepper hair amazed many who often thought he was younger and he loved to hear that. He wasn’t one to sit for long and instead enjoyed gardening and, if he had to sit, it was on the front lawn to enjoy a cold beer and the outdoors as neighbors passed by.
Señor Matta will be dearly missed by his children, Gerardo Matta, Virginia Treviño, Federico Matta, Martin Alfonso Matta and Romanita Matta-Barrera along with his grandchildren Mark Dominic, George Anthony, Crystal Unique, Scarlett, Alexander, Phylicia, Lauren, Nastasia, Federico, Natalie Mercedes, Giovanni, Christian, Stefano, Jayden, Tomas Gerardo, Mia Valentina, Nicole and Bryan and 20 great grandchildren.
While Señor Matta enjoyed living in San Antonio, the home he built surrounded by fruit trees in Mexico was his pride. His family will gather for a private farewell and, God-willing, one day soon will take him to Mexico where he will be laid to rest.