Mr. Bernardo H. Matos

Chief Master Sergeant Bernardo H. Matos, USAF (Ret.) joined the Heavenly Father he loved on January 1, 2014. The family will receive guests Saturday at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel from 3 to 5 p.m. with rosary to begin at 4 p.m. in Chapel. Bernardo was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on August 14, 1945 and spent his youth in the Bronx, New York. In 1965, he enlisted in the Air Force and began a career that would see him serving his country with distinction in Montana, Illinois, Florida, Texas, Germany and two tours in Korea. He served at the former Carswell AFB from 1984-1987. He received numerous medals and commendations including the Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze clusters. He also was cited for his support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1992. He retired at Lackland AFB in San Antonio after almost 31 years of service in 1996. Shortly after retiring from the Air Force, he began a gratifying second career as a Fleet Safety Consultant with the Smith Driver Improvement Institute in Arlington. Because of his language skills he was able to provide safety training to fleet vehicle operators on every continent except Antarctica in English, Spanish and Portuguese. He took great pride that he had improved the safety standards for thousands of drivers around the world and was particularly humbled by the many notes he received from his former students telling him his training had saved their life or the life of a family member or co-worker. Always enjoying international travel in his military, business and personal life, he loved sharing pictures of himself in unusual places or situations like riding a camel around the pyramids in Egypt or straddling the Equator in Ecuador. In addition to travelling, he loved dancing and regularly socializing with his many friends. Bernardo is survived by his adored and loving wife as well as dance partner, Debra of Burleson; beloved Mother, Blanca of Ocala, FL; son, Bernardo Matos of San Augustine FL; daughter, Bernadette Matos of Deltona FL; stepson David Welch and wife Amber of Ft. Worth; stepdaughter, Pam Beach and husband Paul of Ft. Worth; sisters, Sonia Martinez and husband, Joe of Woodbridge, VA. and Elsa Martinez and husband, Anselmo of St. Augustine, FL; he also leaves 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren to cherish his memory.