Joe Albert Mata, passed away on January 29, 2021 due to respiratory complications of Covid-19.
He was born August 16, 1942 to Jose Mata and Frances Mata in Fort Worth, Texas. Per his final request, he has been cremated and a memorial service will follow at a later date organized by his family.

Joe retired from Bell Helicopter Textron after 25 years. Since then, he lived a relaxing life doing what he loved. He enjoyed hunting, traveling, music, gambling, margaritas and dancing. He was always ready to go and hated "burnin' daylight." His favorite titles were "grandpa" and "papa." He loved going to the casinos and attending poker night.

"Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you, until the very end."

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Carol Neally Mata; son, John Albert Mata; parents, Jose Mata and Frances Mata; and siblings, Mateas Mata, Anita Back and Carmen Mata.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Gail Mata; sons, Clint Mata and Eric Mata; daughter, Sarah Mata-Tracy (Jesse); step-children, Sheryl Bolton (Marty), Corrie Bearden and Bill Bearden (Ashley); brothers, Angelo Mata (Bea), David Mata and Frank Mata (Christine); sisters, Irene Rios (Frank), Andrea "Molly" Perez (Roel) and Bea Espinoza (Albert); grandchildren, Linda Castro, Diana Mata-Palmares, John D. Mata, Carlos Mata, Joel Mata, Cristena Mata, Desiree Mata, Jay Mata and Lee Mata; 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.