Nov. 9, 1938 – Jan. 8, 2024

Graveside services for Rev. Alton Ray Matlock Sr., 85, of Sallisaw, were held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at Blackjack Cemetery in Muldrow under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc. There was a Memorial Service held at a later date.

Rev. Matlock was born on Nov. 9, 1938, in Barling, Ark., to Orlen and Marie (Ethridge) Matlock. He entered Heaven on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at 2:30 a.m.

Following his graduation from Muldrow High School in 1956, he joined the U.S. Army. After completing a three-year tour and returning to Muldrow, he married Shirley Ray Watts-Matlock of Muldrow on Oct. 29, 1960, and spent the next 63 years of life together.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1961 as an Electronics Technician and later Recruiting. Rev. Matlock was ordained as a Minister while stationed in Morrisville, Mo., in December of 1970. Through the early years, he completed a Bachelor of Sociology and Master of Educational Psychology. He served 20 years in the military and then started a second career for the Civil Service as an Education Specialist for military MEPS here in the states, and in Europe to include Germany, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Rev Matlock retired again after serving 20 years.

His careers took him from Chile, South America to Europe and all over the United States. He and Shirley returned to Oklahoma and established their home in Sallisaw in 2001.

He spent his life preaching and sharing Christ as a bi-vocational pastor all over the United States and Europe. He preached the good news of Jesus Christ and saw many souls saved! When he was not preaching, singing, or working for the government, he enjoyed carpentry and was a published author of a variety of short stories. Rev. Matlock served the Lord with gladness and now is praising the Lord with GREAT joy in HIS presence!

Survivors include his wife and daughter, two grandchildren, one brother and two sisters.

He is preceded in death by two sons, his mother and father, two brothers, and one sister.