He was born on May 23, 1946 in Lubbock, TX to Canuto and Helen Mata.
Joe married and divorced his lifelong friend, Mary Gutierrez; together they had three beautiful children together; Ernest Mata, Joe Mata (Christina) and JoAnna Vargas (Pat). Anyone who knew Joe knew he had a passion for the Dallas Cowboys and mostly Elvis Presley. He will always be remembered for his Elvis performances.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Canuto and Helen Mata, 4 brothers; Canuto (Lito), Ike, Frank, and Jimmy Mata, and two nephews, Israel Garza and Isaiah Mata.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children Ernest Mata, Joe Mata (Christina) and JoAnna Mata Vargas (Pat); his grandchildren Jacob, Adrian, Erica, Michelle, Joseph Matthew and Amanda; his great grandchildren Kyan, Donavon, Julian, Emery, Morgan, Leira, Keiran and Leiha; 1 great-great grandson and 1 on the way. He also leave behind 3 brothers; Larry, Mike, and Jesse Mata, 4 sisters, Helen (cookie), Candelaria, Anita and Dinah Mata, and Elizabeth Gonzalez.
A rosary will be recited Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Abbey Chapel or Resthaven Funeral Home. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 19, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Serving as pallbearers are Jacob Vasquez, Joseph Vasquez, Amanda Reeves, Erica Vargas, Adrian Vargas and Jacob Vargas.
