Weldon “Son” Matlock passed away at home in Rockwall, TX the morning of July 25, 2022. He was 95 years old. Weldon was born December 21, 1926, in Plain Dealing, Bossier Parish, Louisiana to Robert Emmitt “Bob” Matlock and Lillie Rose Roberson Matlock.
He was raised in a family of successful basic farmers in the Walkers’ Chapel Community and was a member of the Walkers’ Chapel Church. He was the youngest of eleven children. His mother said she ran out of names by the time she got to him, thus the nick name “Son.” He was given the name Weldon when he started school. Weldon remained home until he was drafted in October of 1945. He joined five brothers who were already in the military service. Weldon served in the European Theater of Operations as a member of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the Army of Occupation (Germany) 1946-1948. He stayed in the Army and was deployed to the Pacific Theater (Korea) as a member of the Eighth Army 1953-1954. He was discharged in 1955 having obtained the rank of Master Sergeant.
Weldon met Alpha Joyce Spear when she worked at The Big Store in New Boston, Texas while he was stationed at the Red River Army Depot. They were married from February 9, 1952, until her passing August 10, 2009. They moved to Dallas in 1955 and were members of Pleasant Mound UMC. Weldon was employed by Continental Emsco Company, later becoming LTV Energy Products. He retired from LTV Energy Products Garland office in 1992. After retirement, Weldon and Joyce enjoyed going on RV trips with their special friends, Bob and Pat Smith. They really looked forward to the twice yearly trout fishing trips to Mountain View, Arkansas.
Weldon was preceded in death by his wife: Joyce Weldon; parents: Robert Emmitt “Bob” Matlock and Lillie Rose Roberson Matlock; sisters: Ida Lucille Matlock and Doris Matlock Crane; brothers: David, Clines, Ray, Drew, Loy, Percy, Harold and Dixon; and granddaughter: Holly Miller.
He is survived by his daughter: Diana Bell and husband Michael of Ft. Worth, TX.; son: Craig Matlock of Rockwall, TX; grandson: Geoffery Miller, and step-grandson: Christopher Bell, both of Ft. Worth TX.
Funeral services with military honors will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Reflections at Rest Haven Funeral Home – Rockwall Location with CH (LTC) Erik T. Spicer officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
