John Joseph Matz, Jr.

John J. Matz Jr, a new resident of Taos, New Mexico passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on September 16th.  He is preceded in death by his parents; John and Jennie Matz and sister Sandy McDermott.  John is survived by his wife, Phyllis Matz and daughters, Johanna Matz and Julianna Matz-Esquibel of Taos and her family, Mano, John and Jack Esquibel.

John was born in Alliance, Nebraska on November 18th, 1935.  He was raised on a ranch outside of Alliance.  He went on to attend Montana State University where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animal Science and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming in Animal Nutrition.  John consulted many feedlots in Nebraska for ruminant nutrition throughout the years. 

He had relocated to Colorado in the last 5 years and eventually moved to New Mexico to be near his daughter and her family.  He loved his dogs and his Wall Street Journal.  Julianna had rescued him two puppies from Taos over 10 years ago.  They were his companions and gave him a lot of love and companionship through the years.  No services are planned at this time.  The family wishes that in his honor you make any donations in his name to:  Stray Hearts Animal Shelter, 1200 St. Francis Drive, Taos, NM 87571.  Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com