Gilbert George Mata Jr.

Gilbert was born Nov. 15, 1958 in Augsburg, Germany where his father was stationed at a U.S. Army base. He was the son of Gilbert George Mata Sr. and Helen Mary (Guerrero) Mata. Gilbert was one of 5 children. Shortly after the family returned stateside to Fort Campbell, Ky., their father died in a car accident. Helen Mata took Gilbert and his 4 sisters back to her hometown of Stockton where Gilbert lived for the remainder of his life.

He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1977. He was a standout football and baseball player. His ability to avoid tackles earned him the nickname Rubber Band Man. He earned an associate of arts degree from San Joaquin Delta College and then went on to Fresno State University.

It was at Fresno State that he met his future wife, Toni. Seven years later, they were married at St. Luke Catholic Church in Stockton. They made their home in Stockton and raised 3 amazing children. He was a devoted husband and always supported his wife’s goals, including taking on more responsibility with the kids when Toni went back to school to earn a teaching degree. Gilbert and Toni would have celebrated their 31st anniversary this September.

Gilbert worked for Coca-Cola as an account manager for 33 years and loved watching his collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia grow. At work, he was affectionately known as Scoop for always having the latest news to share.

Gilbert loved the outdoors, especially fishing in the Delta or taking a drive up to Mosquito Lake to test his luck. He took his family on many trips to expose them to the joy and wonder of nature. One of his favorite places was Yosemite National Park. He also enjoyed playing golf, celebrating any occasion big or small with his large, extended family, snow and water skiing, and trying his hand at new ways to barbecue tri-tip. His favorite way to cook it was bacon-wrapped.

Gilbert was a member of St. Luke Church and, after retiring in 2015, took comfort beautifying the gravesites of family and friends at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery.

Those whose lives were touched by Gilbert remember him for his generous spirit, loving heart, quick sense of humor and infectious laugh and smile.

He was that crazy, fun uncle to many nieces and nephews who adored his antics, even into adulthood. He was particularly close to his nephews Ronald Baca Jr. and John Anthony Gardea, whom he loved as his own sons, and his niece Michelle Gonzalez, who so strongly reflects his best qualities.

Gilbert felt a strong sense of responsibility to his sisters and mother as the family moved through life after their father’s death. Gilbert never hesitated to drop what he was doing to help them out when they called.

He was the only boy in the family but he gained brothers later in life after meeting George Branco and Tony Christolos when they worked together at Coca-Cola. The trio shared many happy, and sometimes hilariously embarrassing memories and remained close long after each left the company.

Gilbert’s greatest joy lay with his three children. He beamed with pride when his oldest child, Elizabeth Nisby of Stockton, earned her master’s degree and went on to marry a wonderful man, John Patrick Nisby. He was over the moon when he found out they were expecting their first child due in August. He had a huge outlet for his love of athletics with his second child, Kimberly Mazza of Oakley. Her talent at soccer from age 4 through her Division 1 college career was a source of pride for him. His favorite cheer was “Boot it, Kim!!” He was fortunate to see her recently married to Nicholas Mazza, whom he trusted completely to care for his daughter. Gilbert’s third child, Christopher Mata of Long Beach, was a source of pride for his academics, courage, and willingness to forge new paths for the family with his diverse interests. Although he was not able to go in person, Gilbert got to see a live stream of Christopher graduating last month from CSU Long Beach.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest sister, Theresa Gardea and her husband Anthony Gardea.

In addition to his wife and children, Gilbert is survived by his sisters, Diana Baca, Christina Urrutia (Matias), and Linda Serna (Richard), all of Stockton, and sister-in-law Ellen Maddy (Stan) of Kansas. He is also survived by his nephews Ronald Baca Jr. (Christina), John Anthony Gardea (Alice), and Richard Serna Jr., all of Stockton and Nicholas Maddy; his nieces Alicia Quillantang (Ricardo), Tammy Magallanes (Jose), Michelle Gonzalez (Jose), Elena Flores (Gary), Courtney Robertson, and Samantha Serna; his aunts Arlene Judson, Margaret Gardea and Carmen Gomez; his uncles John Mata and Andrew Guerrero; numerous cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews; and 4 great-great nieces.

Services will include a visitation from 3-6 p.m., followed by a recitation of the Rosary at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N. California St., Stockton, CA. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28, at DeYoung Memorial. Graveside services will immediately follow at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, Stockton, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s High School Father Fallon Endowment Fund for scholarships or St. Mary’s High School athletics.