Posted by red on 1/12/2009, 7:26 am
4.131.212.243
Gerald W. Matt
GERALD W. MATT JAN 17, 1945 - DEC 31, 2008 You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.'' Isaiah 26:3 Gerald W. Matt, or Jerry to all of us, left this world on December 31, 2008, to begin his life anew in his home in the heavenly kingdom. He spent his final hours engulfed by the love and devotion of family and friends. Jerry was born in Escalon, California on January 17, 1945, to Casey and Opal Matt. He is survived by his mother Opal Matt, wife Jenlane Gee Matt, son Tim Matt, daughter Cassie Micheletti and son-in-law Dan Micheletti, sister Claudia Matukitis, sister Debbie Herrera and brother-in-law Dan Herrera, brother Greg Matukitis, and all their families. It brought him immense joy to witness the recent arrival of Hayden Daniel Micheletti, his first born grandchild. Jerry attended Dent Elementary with a short lived stint as a Boy Scout, but he went on to distinguish himself at Escalon High School, graduating in June 1962, where he met success as a member of the Escalon Future Farmers of America, bringing home the trophy for the state championship in Economic Entomology Judging with his team. Jerry quickly began laying the foundation for his lengthy career in law enforcement by taking coursework in criminal justice at Modesto Junior College in the fall of 1962, only to be interrupted by the call of duty. In August 1963, he joined the United States Army quickly displaying his leadership by assuming command of a launcher platoon in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jerry received commendations for his outstanding performance of duty during a period of peril in our country's history. He was honorably discharged having achieved the rank of Sergeant. He returned to his studies at Modesto Junior College completing his Associates of Arts degree in Administration of Justice. In 1969, Jerry began his law enforcement career as a reserve deputy for Stanislaus County. He was hired in 1970 as a Ceres police officer, but returned to the Sheriff's office as a full time deputy in 1971. When the Stanislaus County Drug Enforcement Agency was formed in 1975, he joined the team. In 1982, he began work with drug sniffing canines and later branched into a partnership establishing Kontraband Interdiction and Detection Services, Inc. a community based drug consultant business offering education to schools and businesses. He was a founding member and past president of the California Narcotics Canine Association. After a career full of awards and commendations, Jerry retired from the County in April 2000. Fishing full time became his new passion as he took great pleasure in teaching others the fine points of catching the elusive kokanee salmon as captain of Dogfish Expeditions. Jerry fought strongly to sustain the fisheries through his work with Kokanee Power, California Striped Bass Association, and Trouts Unlimited. He served as a church council member of Saron Lutheran Church with the same intensity and zeal. He found meaning and purpose in all that he did when he made God's love for us the reference point of his life. He pursued understanding this truth to the very end. Please join us for a memorial and celebration of his life on his birthday January 17, 2009, at 10:30 located at Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North Street, Escalon, to be followed immediately by a luncheon at the Activity Center of the Trinity Church Assembly of God located at 1906 California Street in Escalon. In lieu of flowers, you might consider a remembrance to one of his favorite causes or a favorite charity of your own, and as he would say to each of us, Have a blessed day. Stained Glass Window Project: Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St., Escalon, CA 95320Community Hospice, Salvation Army, Modesto Gospel Mission, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Trout Unlimited, American Cancer Society. www.modbee.com/obituaries
Our condolances to Jen and the family.He will be missed.red
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