Jimmy Matus

Jimmy Ray Matus, age 52, of West, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2013 in West, while providing the ultimate sacrifice to the community of West. A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Monday, April 29, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West by Janice Kaluza. Visitation will follow until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Tuesday April 30, 2013 at St. Mary's Church in West with Rev. Ed Karasek officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Jimmy will lie in state beginning 11:00 a.m. Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Aderhold Funeral Home. Jimmy was born November 9, 1960 in Waco to Raymond Rudolf and Lillian Frances (Soukup) Matus. He attended St. Mary's School, was a 1979 graduate of West High School, and also attended MCC. He grew up spending summers at his Uncle Raymond and Aunt Rosie Knapeks' house, where he developed his love of all things farm related. Jimmy started working at his family business, Westex Welding & Fire Apparatus, at a very young age. He continued to work there for the next forty years, the last twenty managing all aspects of the business. On May 11, 2002, he married Gail Bradburry. She preceded him in death on December 3, 2011. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, SPJST Lodge 54, Sokol West, where he served as past president, the State Fireman's Association, and was an honorary member of the Masonic Lodge in West. Jimmy also served on the West ISD school board and played the role of Santa Claus for many organizations including Sokol and the City of West. Jimmy loved to buy and sell equipment, attend fire shows, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also loved all his pets and farm animals. Jimmy was a very generous and giving person. It wasn't uncommon for him to buy something at a benefit auction only to turn around and donate it to the next benefit. Survivors include his parents, Raymond and Lillian Matus of West; son, Dustin Matus and fianc, Becca Wright, of West; daughter, Jennifer Kalina and fianc, Brian Walker, of Lorena; two step-daughters, Heather Roberson and Derek Barnes, of Bosqueville and Karry Dornak and husband, Jeff, of Spring; two sisters, Kathy Matus and Cindy Matus both of West; brother, Thomas Matus and wife, Ruth Ann, of Chalk Bluff; five grandchildren, Alana, Hailey, Hanna, Ava, and Aaden; three nieces, Whitney Dudik and husband, Martin, Emily Matus, and Taylor Matus; great-nieces, Lillie and Audrey; in-laws, Ivan and Florence Bradburry of Elm Mott; brother-in-law, Curtis Bradburry and partner, Bruce Harrison, of China Spring; two sisters-in-law, Cathy Bradburry and Sherry Matus and husband, Ben, all of West; the mother of his children, Edwina Powell, and many other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers will be David Dokupil, David Kofnovec, Michael Matus, Patrick Matus, David Dobecka, Alvin Soukup, Johnny Ray Hutyra, and Tim Soukup. Honorary pallbearers will be Westex Welding employees and Johnny Trlica. Memorials may be made to the West Fire Department and West Ambulance Association.