Pete Mata

PETE MATA entered into eternal rest to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 1, 2020 in Houston, Texas at the age of 80. Pete was born in Houston to the union of the late Pedro and Manuela (Sifuentes) Mata, as the 5th of 7 siblings. He graduated from Milby High School and served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany. Pete was part-owner of the Hurricane Night Club and loved playing music. He married Angela (Rodriguez) Mata in 1969 and was married to her for 37 years before she passed away in 2006. Together, Pete and Angela raised 5 sons and 1 granddaughter. Pete worked for American Can Company for 16 years and retired from Anheuser Busch in 2002 after 20 years of service. Pete found love again and married Debbie Phillips on February 21, 2015 who has been his faithful and loving companion for over 12 years.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Angela, his brother Jesse Mata and his sister Eva Reyes. Left behind to cherish Pete’s memory and celebrate his life are his wife Debbie Mata; children Frank Garza, Jr. (Sheila), Gilbert Garza, Elby Garza (Melissa), Jaime Mata (Trina), Gregory Mata (Karen), and granddaughter Jennifer Cantu (Daniel); Robert Phillips (Valerie), Danielle Huerta (Angel), Frank Phillips and Giovanni Phillips. Pete’s long and proud legacy also includes 15 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, including Phillip Garza, Jimi Ray Garza, Tim Walczak, Kira Edgar, Ashlee Garza, Alena Larrea, Matthew Mata, Micah Mata, Jadah Mata, Victoria Mata, Angela Mata, Isaac Phillips, Robert Phillips, Ezekiel Phillips, Krysiana Huerta and great-grandson Nicholas Cox. Pete is also survived by 4 siblings, sisters Martha Thompson & Lupe Chavez and brothers Roy Mata & Rudy Mata. He also impacted the lives of countless cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Pete loved to travel. He took his wife, kids, nephews, nieces, in-laws, uncles, aunts and friends all over the United States to landmarks, parks and campgrounds across the country. He loved the Lord first and fiercely loved his family. He loved watching Houston sports teams play – Astros, Texans and Rockets. He loved to play golf, loved a good meal, loved (really loved) karaoke, loved good conversation and loved people unconditionally. In short, Pete loved. He never met a stranger, always had a smile and was always up for some good food, good music, a good time and a good belly laugh.

The family will receive friends and family on Friday, October 9, 2020 at the Funeraria Del Angel Crespo Funeral Home (2516 Navigation). Family and friends may visit from 2-5pm in the afternoon. From 5-8pm (Private), Immediate Family Only (spouse, children/spouses, grandkids/spouses, siblings/spouses and special guests). Honor Guard will present at 5:45pm and a rosary will be recited at 6pm. On Saturday, October 10, the Celebration of the Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:30am at Resurrection Catholic Church (915 Zoe Street). Procession will follow for Internment services at Forest Park Cemetery at Lawndale at 12:30pm. A reception will follow at American Legion Hall Post 472 (Harrisburg). Capacity will be limited at all venues and masks will be required.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Methodist Hospital (Medical Center) for their care and compassion in Pete’s final moments with us on earth. Go Rest High On That Mountain!

In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of Pete Mata may be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/donate).