Harold Adolph Matern

Harold (Hal) was born on December 23, 1928 in Burnett, TX to Adolph and Mary (Bailey) Matern. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1946 at the age of 17 in Houston, TX. He served his country for 21 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in Dallas, TX in1967. After retiring from the Navy, he joined the space program, moving his family to Cocoa, FL and working for Lockheed and several other contractors at Kennedy Space Center. He retired from the space program in 1990.

On February 4, 1956 he married Betty Joan Edwards and they remained married for over 63 years until his death. They raised two sons, Hal and Karl, and two daughters, Becky and Kathy.

Hal loved his family and especially his wife Betty who he cared for attentively for years until his death. He always had an affinity for Texas having been born and raised there. He worked hard his whole life and was known to be serious but could also be playful and compassionate.

Hal was preceded in death by his father Adolph, his mother Mary, and his brother Jerry. He is survived by his wife Betty, his four children, Hal (Cindy), Becky (Ron), Karl and Kathy, his twin brother Dave, his grandchildren, Brianne (Jared), Dallas, Brittany (Brandon) and Jenny, and his great-grandchildren, Maya, Grayson and Baby Bell (due in September).

A visitation service will be held on Saturday, April 27th, 2019 at The Open Door United Methodist Church of Cocoa, 825 Forrest Avenue, Cocoa, FL at 10 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11 AM at the same location. A reception will be held at Hughlett Hall adjacent to the church following the funeral service. Donations may be sent in lieu of flowers to Sharing Center of Central Brevard https://sharingcenter.org/