Joe John Matula Jr., 84, passed away at his home at Ezzell, Wed. Nov. 16, 2011. He was born on Aug. 29, 1927 and lived in Lavaca County his entire life. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Yoakum in 1944 at the age of 16. He was drafted into the Army on Jan. 10, 1946 and received his honorable discharge April 9, 1947.

Joe was engaged in farming and ranching with his family his whole life. At age 39, he became employed with Alcoa in Point Comfort until his early retirement. After retirement, his main concern was caring for his parents and taking care of the home place.

Joe was a man of many talents, often engaging in carpentry, electrical or mechanical work. In his early years he built a farm tractor, a model airplane with an engine, a fireplace in his new home, a working cannon, a farm wagon, and several buildings, including his camp house that he built to last for many years.

Joe was a perfectionist in any task he undertook, and worked under the assumption that anything worth doing was worth doing well. His mom used to say, "If you want it done quick, ask Louis, but if you want it done right, ask Joe." When he picked cotton, the cotton was so clean, it looked like he had already ginned it. He was always ready and willing to help his neighbors whenever they needed help.

Joe liked his four wheeler, using it to tend to his cows, going to the mailbox with Buster his dog on back, or taking his nieces and nephews for a ride. He was an avid reader, as evidenced by the books, magazines and newspapers beside his couch. He enjoyed watching John Wayne movies and Bonanza on T.V. He had strong opinions on national politics and supported his party. He enjoyed the outdoors and family gatherings at the camp house, especially during hunting season. Even after battling cancer for several years and the treatments that followed, he carried on as before, taking care of himself and the farm.

Joe was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at Koerth, the Sweet Home American Legion, Czech Heritage Society, several fraternal organizations, and the National Rifle Association.

Joe is survived by his brother, Johnny Matula (wife Bell) of Shiner; sisters, Frances (Charles) Holley of Hallettsville, and Margaret (Wayne) Timm of Hallettsville; sister-in-law Lorene (Louis) Matula of Ezzell; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by: his parents, John I. and Frances (Michna) Matula; brother Louis Matula of Ezzell; sister Josephine (Matula) Klimitchek of Ezzell; two brothers-in-law, John R. Klimitchek of Ezzell and Charles R. Holley of Hallettsville; a niece Joan Holley, and a grandnephew Keith Matula..

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Koerth. Visitation: 4 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Rev. Charles Sonnier. Pallbearers: Charles Klimitchek. Joe Klimitchek, Eddie Matula, Michael Matula, Robert Timm, Ronnie Timm, Chuck Holley, Jeff Matula, and Darren Matula, all nephews of the deceased. Gift bearers: Connie Hawes, Laurie Eden, Michelle Schlenker and Mary Kay Matula, nieces of the deceased. Memorials: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or Donor's Choice. Burial: Koerth Cemetery.