Joe "Rae" G. Mata

Joe G. "Rae" Mata, 65, of Fox Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away December 27, 2012 at his home. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Vigil is scheduled for Sunday, December 30, 2012, 7:00 PM at San Jose Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, December 31, 2012, 10:00 AM, at San Jose Catholic Church with Father Valentine Jankowski, Conv., OFM officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Joe G. "Rae" Mata was born September 29, 1947 in Pecos, Texas to Maxmillano "Chano" and Maria (Garcia) Mata. He worked for CID for 16 years. Rae later went to work for Constructors, Inc. and worked for the Shoup's for 16 years. In 1999 he was diagnosed with cancer, a battle he fought for 13 years. Rae passed away peacefully in his sleep. He loved his family and enjoyed being with them and helped anyone that needed it. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Christian D. Mata in 1985; brothers: Eismael Mata and Willie Mata and grandson, Jacob Richard Pedroza. He is survived by his wife, Lorena Mata of Carlsbad, NM; three sons: Joe Mata, Jr. and wife, Elsie of Carlsbad, NM, Richard Mata and wife, Delma of Carlsbad, NM, Jacob Pedroza and wife, Crystal of Carlsbad, NM; four grandchildren: Ysable, Jazzmine, Elizabeth, Jacob, Jr.; three brothers: Roberto Mata, Max Mata, Jr., Alvin Nichols Mata and seven sisters: Lydia Baeza, Elena Acosta, Carolina Lujan, Felipa Mendoza, Eloisa Galvan, Andrea Gomez, Dora Mata and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jacob Pedroza, Lee Franco, Hector Olivas, Perfecto Duran, III, Alvin Mata and Christopher Duran. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.