Rito Mata passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. , Rosary at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Born in Asa, a small town in Texas, on April 6, 1944, Rito began his journey through life. Rito was the oldest to two other siblings born to Winselado and Maria Mata. Rito was a hardworking man, spending his days as a mechanic in Downsville, Texas. He enjoyed his job and spent many hours under cars teaching his children his trade. Among teaching his children about mechanics, he also taught them how to pick corn, hunt, fish and how to stand up for themselves. He ended up finishing his work and retiring. After a stroke, Rito realized he could no longer work as hard as he had done in his younger years. Rito had a love for fishing and spending time with his family. Rito was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Guadalupe Robles and brother, Tony Mata. He is survived by his wife, Irene Mata; his five children, Carmen Martinez and husband, Jose, Della Tinoco and husband, Armando, Rita Mata, Anita Harris and husband, James, and Rito Epitacio Mata and wife, Veronica; 13 grandchildren, Hilario Mata, Rose Salazar, Isabel Diaz, Daniel Briones, Martin Briones, Mary Pulido, Edward Mata, Lety Mata, Gus Rodriguez, Eric Rodriguez, Alexia Mata, Elijah Mata and Angelica Mata; and 32 great grandchildren. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www. WHBfamily.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rito Mata, please visit our flower store.