Richard Matlock (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Richard Darrell Matlock, son of Loman and Madge Wilcox Matlock, was born May 3, 1947, near Mansfield, Missouri, and departed this life on February 21, 2016, in Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-eight years, nine months and eighteen days.
He was united in marriage to Sheila Jo Harris on December 22, 1966, and to this union two children, Bryan and Launa, were born. He was preceded in death by his father, Loman; a grandson, Thomas Matlock; and a nephew, Brandon Miller.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sheila of the home; son, Bryan Matlock and fiancé, Angie of Mansfield, Missouri; daughter, Launa Boatman and husband, Eric, of Springfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Bryce Matlock, McKenzie Matlock, Isabella Boatman and Lillian Boatman; his mother, Madge Matlock of Mansfield, Missouri; two brothers, Leland Matlock and wife, Fran, of Winslow, Arkansas, and Wendel Matlock and wife, Susan, of Mansfield, Missouri; two sisters,
Sondra Gray and husband, David, and Teresa Letsinger and husband, John, all of Mansfield, Missouri; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Richard was a lifelong resident of Mansfield. He graduated from Mansfield High School in the Class of 1965, and then served his country faithfully for 3 years in the United States Army. After returning home from the Army, he became a water well driller and then owned Clark Pump Company. Later he worked for Hutchens Industries, then for Wright County Road and Bridge before retiring in 2008.
Richard’s passion was fishing and hunting, which he did every chance he got.He was affectionately called "Crappie King," which embarrassed him because he did not want to brag. But he was an amazing fisherman and taught his son and nephews everything he could about catching fish. He went early and stayed late and anyone that went with him soon learned that if you wanted to eat you should take food along because he didn’t stop for it. Richard was a gruff talking man who loved his family very much and he had a heart of gold.
Memorials may be made to Mansfield United Methodist Church or St. Jude's Children's Hospital and may be left at the funeral home.
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