1937
James
2010
James R. Matz
October 29, 1937 — January 2, 2010
Palm Valley/Harlingen, TX:
Businessman, James R. Matz, 72, passed away on January 2, 2010 in Houston, Texas.
Born and raised in Harlingen, James graduated from Harlingen High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He also attended Mexico City College, graduate school at the University of Texas and the Foreign Service Institute.
Prior to returning to Harlingen in 1982, James served as a commissioned Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department attaining the rank of Foreign Service Officer Class 3, with the consular rank of Consul and diplomatic rank of First Secretary, as a marketing executive for Fluor Engineers and Constructors. He also spent a year in the President’s Executive Interchange Program with Bank of America. James worked in Washington, DC; Southern California; Mexico; Bolivia; Indonesia; and South Africa.
James served two terms on the Harlingen City Commission, was a two term Cameron County Commissioner and a two term Mayor of the City of Palm Valley.
James founded Harlingen Proud in January 1989. A year later he founded the Valley Proud Environmental Council and served as its Chairman until his death. This award winning volunteer grass roots organization acts as a catalyst for positive change to improve the quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley
Space does not permit the listing of all the various boards James served on at the local, regional and state levels. Among the numerous awards James received was the President’s National Service Award was presented to him by President Clinton in the White House Rose Garden in 1995.
James’s passion for service extended to leadership on a multitude of local, regional and state boards benefiting the homeless, water planning, Rotary International, conservation and good government. James was well known for sharing and promoting his love of birds, native trees, Texas History, preservation and travel.
His survivors include his loving wife, Georgiana Matz; daughters, Anna Van Lier (husband, Chad Van Lier) and Bethany Matz (husband, Jeff Bucholtz); step-daughter, Linda O’Dell (husband, Larry O’Dell); brother, Brant Matz; sister, Joyce Matz; three granddaughters, Alexandra Van Lier, Megan Bucholtz and Shannon O’Dell; numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Douglas Matz; sister, Susan Raybourn; mother, Eleanor Matz and father, E.O. Matz.
A Celebration of James’s Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 321 E. Harrison, Harlingen, Texas, 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 8, 2010 with the Rev. Eddie Val Verde officiating. A reception will follow in the Raimond Christian Center at the church.
Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Valley Proud Environmental Council Board.
In lieu of flowers the family request those desiring to do so may make memorial donations to Valley Proud Environmental Council, 513 East Jackson, Suite 304, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or at www.valleyproud.org.
A guestbook will available to sign at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday or you may also sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Businessman, James R. Matz, 72, passed away on January 2, 2010 in Houston, Texas.
Born and raised in Harlingen, James graduated from Harlingen High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He also attended Mexico City College, graduate school at the University of Texas and the Foreign Service Institute.
Prior to returning to Harlingen in 1982, James served as a commissioned Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department attaining the rank of Foreign Service Officer Class 3, with the consular rank of Consul and diplomatic rank of First Secretary, as a marketing executive for Fluor Engineers and Constructors. He also spent a year in the President’s Executive Interchange Program with Bank of America. James worked in Washington, DC; Southern California; Mexico; Bolivia; Indonesia; and South Africa.
James served two terms on the Harlingen City Commission, was a two term Cameron County Commissioner and a two term Mayor of the City of Palm Valley.
James founded Harlingen Proud in January 1989. A year later he founded the Valley Proud Environmental Council and served as its Chairman until his death. This award winning volunteer grass roots organization acts as a catalyst for positive change to improve the quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley
Space does not permit the listing of all the various boards James served on at the local, regional and state levels. Among the numerous awards James received was the President’s National Service Award was presented to him by President Clinton in the White House Rose Garden in 1995.
James’s passion for service extended to leadership on a multitude of local, regional and state boards benefiting the homeless, water planning, Rotary International, conservation and good government. James was well known for sharing and promoting his love of birds, native trees, Texas History, preservation and travel.
His survivors include his loving wife, Georgiana Matz; daughters, Anna Van Lier (husband, Chad Van Lier) and Bethany Matz (husband, Jeff Bucholtz); step-daughter, Linda O’Dell (husband, Larry O’Dell); brother, Brant Matz; sister, Joyce Matz; three granddaughters, Alexandra Van Lier, Megan Bucholtz and Shannon O’Dell; numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Douglas Matz; sister, Susan Raybourn; mother, Eleanor Matz and father, E.O. Matz.
A Celebration of James’s Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 321 E. Harrison, Harlingen, Texas, 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 8, 2010 with the Rev. Eddie Val Verde officiating. A reception will follow in the Raimond Christian Center at the church.
Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Valley Proud Environmental Council Board.
In lieu of flowers the family request those desiring to do so may make memorial donations to Valley Proud Environmental Council, 513 East Jackson, Suite 304, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or at www.valleyproud.org.
A guestbook will available to sign at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday or you may also sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James R. Matz, please visit our flower store.