Mervin Mattos

Mervin M. Mattos
June 28, 1925 - January 26, 2013
Merv was born June 28, 1925 in Los Altos, California. He was the only child of Caroline Dias Mattos and Manuel Silveira Mattos. He grew up in Alvarado, California and attended Alvarado Grammar Schoold and Washington High School. He was active in School Patrol, band and chorus. The family moved to Manteca, California in 1940 and Merv graduated from Manteca High School in 1943. He was active at Manteca High in football, band and orchestra. Merv was the Vice-President of the Senior Class.
In 1946, the family moved their dairy ranch to Waterford, California. The ranch was located on the north side of Dry Creek. Merv attended Modesto Business College, then went to work for Ed Whitmore, Stanislaus County Treasurer. After rwo years, he transferred to the County Clerk's office under C.C. Eastin. For five years, he served as Court Clerk for Judge Sherrill Halbert who was later apointed to Federal Judge in Sacramento. The office of County Clerk was then departmentalized and Merv became the first Supervisor of Elections of Stanislaus County.
From the time he started saxophone lessons in Alvarado under the tutelage of Maneil Pinto, Merv participated in Jazz and Marching Bands through High School. One of the highlights of his musical career was appearing with Herbie Dutra and Vernon Vargas in 1941 on the Homestead Amateur Hour over radio station KGO San Francisco. Their saxophone presentation was titled "Mexicali Rose".
On his move to Waterford, Merv was a member of the Nicky Ritz Band, then the Five Shades of Gray (which had 6 members). Later he started the Merv Mattos Orchestra. When Nat "King" Cole played gigs in Modesto two different years, the Merv Mattos Orchestra accompanied him at the California Ballroom. The band played in other places such as The Elks Club, Jack's Club, Fable Room, Stockton Ballroom, Castle Air Force Base Officer's Club. He played throughout the valley until his retirement from music in 1958.
On June 18, 1950, he married Arlene Silva. Four children were born to them: Kathleen, John, Daniel and Carolyn, who have now produced six intelligent and wise grandchildren. The family bought the walnut/clover ranch between Empire and Waterford in 1958. Merv continued his employment with Stanislaus County until his retirement in April, 1980 when he had served 33 years. He then farmed full time.
Merv's club affiliations include 20-30 Club, Do-Nothing Club, Lions Club of Empire, Native Sons of the Golden West (President 1955), E Clampus Vitus (Noble Grand Humbug 1965), and Fifty Plus Club (President 1992). He was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Hughson, California.
Services will be held at Lakewood Memorial Chapel at 10 AM Friday, February 1, with burial to follow at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe, Hughson, California, 95326.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, 414 Mason Street #300, San Francisco, CA 94102, Attention: Cleft Palate Fund or your favorite charity.
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