Matt L. "Pot" Mercer

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Matt L. "Pot" Mercer who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Matt was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Matt knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

      Matt was born on February 16, 1935 at Caulfax, Louisiana in Caulfax, Louisiana. His parents were Ike and Helen Mercer. Matt was raised in Nacogdoches. Even as a youngster, Matt learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

      As a young boy, Matt was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Matt was raised with three brothers and three sisters. He had Laveren, Priscilla, Bill, Allen, Linville, and Sharon. Matt had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Matt, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

      Matt's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Matt enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Matt took part in football and basketball. Matt's memorable achievements included.

      In school, Matt was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Matt was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Matt’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1953. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

      Matt was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Matt was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Matt came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dock Lazerine.

      An objective and conscientious individual, Matt reveled in the security of his family. One of Matt’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

      Matt was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Matt would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Matt was blessed with three children, Lynne, Terry, and Richard. They were also blessed with two grandchildren, Shannon and Robert.

      Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Matt was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Matt was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Matt upheld his standards. His primary occupation was Postal Worker. He was employed for 35 years for the Post Office. Matt was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

      Matt was in the Naval reserve as a radio man. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women.

      Matt approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were wood working , gardening, fishing, and boating. Matt was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      A civic-minded person, Matt was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. He was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Matt was a member of several community groups, including serving on committees for the Fire Department REHAB. During these years, Matt applied his analytical intellect to problem solving and so was an asset on most committees.

      Faith was important to Matt. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member Fredonia Hill Baptist Church Nacogdoches. During that time, he was taught sunday school for boys ages 8 to 9. More recently, he attended First Baptist Church.

      When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Matt used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Matt had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Yellowstone.

      Matt was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Matt’s favorites was a Beagle named Suzy and a cat named Miss Kitty.

       He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. His new life involved relocating. In retirement, he found new pleasure in gardening and fruit trees. In many ways, Matt loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

       He is survived by his wife Gena and children.

      All who knew him would agree that Matt was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Matt L. "Pot" Mercer did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.

* * * * * * * * * *

God having finished his mansion bade Matt Loften “Pot” Mercer to come home to Heaven where he was greeted by his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters. Matt Mercer was born February 16, 1935 to Ike and Helen Mercer in Caulfax, Louisiana.

A funeral service will be conducted on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 3:00 pm at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors. Friends and family are invited to visitation from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., prior to the service. Rev. Dock Lazarine will officiate. Burial will follow at Old Union Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Bruce Lindsey, Dr. Bob Stout, Jack Gardner, Robert Goodroe, Tug Witcher, James Cline, Bobby Boudria and Michael Reardon. Honorary Pallbearers will include Jeffery Athey, Travis Goodner Clarence Kalkomey, Pat Muckleroy, Billy Warren, Don Nichols, Ray Wooten, and Fred Athey.

Matt graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1953 and served several years in the United States Naval Reserves until 1965. He married his wife, Gena Dennis on February 18, 1955. Matt worked for the United States Post Office for 36 years before retiring, not being one to sit still he worked several jobs through his retirement. Matt taught in the Royal Ambassador program at Fredonia Hill Baptist Church for 28 plus years teaching many young men to survive in the woods and see God in nature. “Pot’s” other community services were with the Nacogdoches Fireman’s Auxiliary, Texas Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief, Texas Hunter’s Safety Instructor and sponsor of several for Alcoholics Anonymous this October marking 26 years of sobriety for Matt himself. Throughout his life Matt enjoyed golf, fishing hunting, gardening, frying catfish, playing 42. Seems he was always helping someone in need and being very patriotic when it came to the United States of America.

Matt is survived by his wife, Gena Mercer; daughter, Lynne Witcher and husband Tug; sons, Terry Mercer, Richard Mercer and wife Sharon; granddaughter, Shannan Reardon and husband Michael; grandson, Robert Bartholomew; and brother, Allen Mercer.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to Pineywoods Baptist Encampment, Fisher House or to Heart to Heart Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com