In Memoriam

In Memory of Alvin Matak

Alvin Matak, age 95, of Levelland, Texas, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his home.

at the Post Chapel at Fort Lewis, Washington. They were married 63 years until Margie’s passing in 2015. The couple moved 24 times and lived throughout Texas, Louisiana, and England, with the Army and Magnolia / Mobil Oil Company. They settled in Levelland in 1970.

Alvin worked for Magnolia / Mobil Oil Company as a gang pusher and retired in 1987.

Alvin enjoyed woodworking, gardening, raising poultry, making homemade Czech sausage, playing bingo and 42 dominos, traveling to South Dakota and South Texas, going to Czech polka dances, and listening to his favorite Texas Czech polka bands.

Alvin Matak

Viewing was from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 at Guajardo Funeral Chapels. Visitation was held 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 at Christ Lutheran Church in Lubbock. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 10 at Christ Lutheran Church. Interment followed in the City of Levelland Cemetery.

Alvin was born on March 29, 1927, to Czech parents Pete Martin, Sr. and Annie Christine (Gajdosik) Matak in Needville. As an infant, Alvin moved with his family to Bennview (now La Salle), where he grew up and worked on the family farm and helped his dad with the water well drilling business. Alvin attended school in La Salle until ninth grade.

When he was 17 years old, to avoid being drafted during World War II, Alvin enlisted in the Merchant Marines, where he completed culinary school and was a cook on the ships. He was then drafted into the army during the Korean war where he continued serving as a cook and became a sergeant.

After switching dance partners with his friend at a dance, Alvin met the love of his life, Marjory Lou Martschinske. The couple wed on February 16, 1952,

Alvin was a member of Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu TexasSPJST Lodge 157, Lubbock for more than 79 years. He was also a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Lubbock.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers Willie Matak and Wilbert Matak; and sisters Liddie James, Lottie Elles, Wilsie Browning, and Annie Lee Mizell.

He is survived by daughters Darlys (Jesse) Hale and Brenda (Ricky) Cookston; grandchildren Jennifer (Marlon) Franklin, Jackie (Randall) Garrett, Jared Cookston, and Kelsey (Bryan) Parrish; great-grandsons Cannon and Callan Garrett; brother Pete Matak, Jr.; sister LaVonne Cooper; and numerous family here and in the Czech Republic.

Memorial donations can be made to La Salle Community Association, 231 Weston Woods Road, Inez, Texas 77968; or Christ Lutheran Church, 7801 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79423.

—SPJST—