RICHARD MATTA

RICHARD MATTA Richard T. Matta, 46, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at his home in Phoenix after a 13-year battle with cancer. He was born June 7, 1966 in Murray, Ky., the son of Richard B. and Janice (Pollack) Matta. Rich's first "road trip" was in a cardboard box in the front seat of a 1934 Ford pickup when he was three weeks old during the family's move to Mt. Pulaski, Ill., where he spent the first seven years of his life living on a farm. It was during those formative years that he developed his life long loves of music, motorcycle riding, and shooting. The family moved several times after that, and Rich spent the rest of his school years in Denton, Texas, Chatham, Ill., Racine, Wis., Virden, Ill., and McHenry, Ill., moving to Las Vegas in 1984 right after his 18th birthday. He was a 26-year resident of Las Vegas. Shortly after moving to Las Vegas, Rich joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Upon leaving the U.S. Air Force, he worked at Binion's Horse Shoe until he joined the security staff at Citibank Nevada in 1989 and worked in various capacities during his 21-year tenure, with his last position being Area vice president of security. Rich graduated with a BS degree in business management from UOP in 2000. He moved to Phoenix, November 2010, where he worked as district manager for Allied Barton Security/Apollo Group, and managed Security for the University of Phoenix Campuses. He married his soulmate, Leslie (Kent) Matta in April 2011. Rich lived life to the fullest, and was passionate about his family and friends, his dogs, and his many hobbies: cars, guns, motorcycles, cigars, music, working out . . . He faced life's challenges with humor, grace, dignity, and courage. He was a beloved husband, devoted father and grandfather, cherished son, loving brother, uncle and nephew, a faithful friend, a loyal worker, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. Rich is survived by his wife, Leslie (Kent) Matta of Phoenix; daughters, Kasey Matta and Nichole Matta; and grandson, Drayden Webster; parents, Rich and Jan Matta; sister, Lori Stout; niece, Lauren (John) Thompson; and nephew, Joe Stout, all of Las Vegas; uncles, Jim (Ellanat) Matta, Rich (Julie) Pollack, and Will (Sally) Pollack; his aunt, Carol (Ken) Lovely; and cousins, Thad (Barb) Matta, Greg (Jen) Matta, Karah (Anthony) Viola, Kari (Ken) Sutton, Eric Lovely, James (Sara) Pollack, Mark (Tanya) Matta, Johnny Matta, and Debbie (Matta) Reid. Memorial services to celebrate Rich's life will be at 10 a.m, Saturday, Feb. 23, at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130.