Ramon Arnoldo Mata

RAMON ARNOLDO MATA McALLEN — Ramon Arnoldo Mata, 79, passed peacefully into eternal rest and in to the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 28, 2014, at LifeCare Hospital in McAllen Born in McAllen December 29, 1934 to Maria R. Mata and Abelino Mata, Mr. Mata lived in McAllen all of his life. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Mr. Mata attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. After graduating from McAllen High School in 1955, he answered his country's call and enlisted in US Army, serving in Korea. After his service, he attended Business College in Buffalo New York. Mr. Mata returned to the Valley and was employed at Hop N Shops Stores Inc. from 1964 to 2009. After retiring, he often visited the office to reminisce over coffee with his friends Russell McGivray and Pablo Salazar and staff at Hop N Shop. During his tenure, he served as General Manager and was President of South Texas Icee. Many knew Mr. Mata to be a generous man who tried to help those in need of assistance. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends whose lives he touched. He instilled strong family values on his children, the importance of self reliance and higher education. His strong work ethic was an inspiration to his children. He had a keen sense of humor and was known for his timely "one liners". He is preceded in death by his parents, Abelino Mata and Maria R. Mata; a granddaughter, Cynthia Ann Garza; a sister, Oralia Cantu; and two brothers, Juan R. Mata and Jesus Lopez. Mr. Mata is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Maria Elena Mata of McAllen; four children, Thelma Gonzalez, Diana Mata (Ricardo) Gonzalez, both of McAllen, David (Alma) Gonzalez of Brownsville, Roxanne Mata (†Mauricio “Marty” Martinez) of San Antonio; five grandchildren, Robert Loy Gonzalez, Erik Scott Gonzalez, David Anthony Gonzalez, Stephanie Gonzalez, Christopher Gonzalez; and two great-grandchildren, Priscilla Marie Garza and Jared Garza. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary TODAY, September 1, 2014, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. A Mass in celebration of his life will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church 2201 Martin Avenue McAllen. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 8788 of McAllen. The family thanks his caregivers Lorena Aleman, Lourdes Murillo, Ivonne Contreras and Magalena Zamora for the loving and compassionate care they provided to Ramon. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Life Care Hospital. We appreciate the care provided to Ramon. Serving as pallbearers will be David Anthony, Robert Loy, Erik Scott, Christopher Gonzalez, Rodimiro and Lucas Cantu. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.