Earl D. Matlock

Earl D. Matlock – Kingsport, TN
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.” ~ Jeremiah 17:7
Earl D. Matlock passed away on to a better life on March 11, 2015, following a period of declining health after a stroke in January 2014. He was like the Energizer Bunny in that he kept going strong after each medical setback until his body finally gave up. As befitting a Christian man who lived a good life, he died peacefully in his sleep.
Earl was born a few minutes after his twin brother on April 18, 1922 in Hawkins County, TN, where he grew up, to Calvin B. and Ella Mae Hurd Matlock. He attended Surgoinsville High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War 11. He completed a course of study at Air Conditioning Training Company, Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio in 1954 and owned and operated Matlock Refrigeration for several years in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He began working at Tennessee Eastman Company in 1943 and remained there until his retirement in 1982. Earl enjoyed farming and raising Black Angus cattle. He also gardened and worked hard at something all of his life. He was rarely idle. He was a big fan of the UT Lady Vols basketball and followed their games faithfully. Earl was a charter member of Higher Ground Baptist Church and enjoyed Southern Gospel music. He had a keen sense of humor and loved to eat anything sweet in spite of his diabetes. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. He was the best!
In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Norma Cox Matlock; two sisters, Emma Kate Matlock Cox and Lena Mae Matlock Cox; two older brothers, J.Y. Matlock and Ralph Matlock, Sr.; and his twin brother, Clarence Lee Matlock.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Penny Matlock Salyer and David Salyer, Kingsport, TN; his only grandchild and his pride and joy, Matthew Salyer, Kingsport, TN; one sister-in-law, Opal Cox Bellamy, Kingsport, TN; his special friends and caregivers, Dan and Ann Rector; along with several nieces, nephews, good friends and neighbors.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the Gate City Funeral Home. Services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with his good friend and brother in Christ, Larry Swindell, officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, VA. Duffie Cox, Andrew Cox, Ralph Matlock, Jr., Keith Pendleton, Tommy Salyer, and Jerry Stapleton will serve as pallbearers. Mark Cox and Ray Galloway will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Due to Earl’s love of animals, especially Matthew’s dog, Buster who came from the shelter, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Kingsport Animal Shelter, 2141 Idle Hour Road, Kingsport, TN or to the Hawkins County Humane Society, 5180 Highway 11-W, Rogersville, TN 37857 in lieu of flowers.
An online guest register is available for the Matlock family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Earl D. Matlock.