John Matlack

JOHN ANDREW MATLACK
Age 67, Strafford, Missouri

John Matlack died suddenly Sunday afternoon, October 26th, after a year-long struggle with lung cancer. He leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Cheryl (Hurt) Matlack, who was at his side when he passed. John was born on June 28th, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska to James (Jim) and Marietta (Dygard) Matlack, the third of three children.

The Matlacks moved to Springfield, MO, in the summer of 1970 and consider it their second hometown. He was graduated from Glendale High School, the class of 1976. He attended SMSU and completed two and a half years of study. John began working in the automotive industry in his 20th year and continued throughout his adult life. He started with Infinite Innovations, cutting Lincoln Continentals in half and "stretching" them. He used his experience to work on cars throughout his adult life, having rebuilt many, many cars of various age and types, skillfully using sophisticated equipment and tools. They truly were masterpieces and won their owners much attention and many awards. John was the genius behind these creations.

Beyond his interest in things mechanical, he enjoyed other skills and passions. In high school he was the first chair in the flute section and learned also to master the bassoon. While not a big team sport guy, he could ride a unicycle for miles and was limber and strong, excelling at gymnastics. He liked to fish and learned to fly fish from his dad and once caught a seven-pound bass in the neighborhood third lake. Throughout his adult life, he liked to fish with his dad, and they would play the par three golf course together. He filled his spare time with entrepreneurial projects, fulfilling his hard-working spirit.

John and Cheryl bought a house and settled in Strafford. They made it perfect for them, like space for Cheryl's ceramic pottery and John's shop. They shared their life with their four-legged family – Sophi and Tiki. They looked forward every year to their vacation in Puerto Vallarta, where they each took their fishing experience to a new and higher level.

John is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his son, Chris Matlack and his partner Maci Thorington; sister Lynne Hempe, brother-in-law Jim, nephew Mark and his wife Molly. niece Julia and her partner Mitch; brother Hugh Matlack and his wife JoAnn Anner; stepdaughter Felisha and grandson Jarrod.

In lieu of flowers, please donate instead to St. Louis Children's Hospital – email them for information at SLCHFoundation@bjc.org.

The Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 8th, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at Doling Family Center, 303 East Talmage Street in Springfield 65803.