Gabrial Clayton Matcek, 92, of Caldwell passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, surrounded by family.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the chapel at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell.
Gabrial Clayton Matcek (“Gable” or “Gabe” to those who knew him) was a loving husband, father, grandfather (papa), little brother, uncle, great-uncle, friend, veteran, musician, spinner of words, teller of tales and all around cool cat.
He was born on Nov. 27, 1932, the youngest of eight children. He grew up in the rural community of Harmony in Burleson County, attended Caldwell High School and graduated in 1949 at the age of 16.
Gabe served in the United States Army during the Korean War, spending a duration of his tour in Japan. It was there that his interest in photography grew, leading to a degree from The University of Houston.
Pho t o g r aphy a l s o brought him to the Dude Ranch Camp in Lake Wales, Florida, where he met Lynne Carlton, who was acting as the camp’s water ski instructor. They married in 1962 and moved to Pasadena, Texas, where their family grew with the birth of three sons.
Gable was employed by The Texas Employment Commission for 25 years, working his way up to District Manager.
Upon retiring in 1987, he oversaw the building of his dream home on the same land he was born on. The family moved there in 1989 and quickly became part of the Caldwell community.
Surrounded by family and friends, Gabe spent his later years concentrating on music. He released three full length albums (recorded in his home studio, “Bug’s Studio”) and performed constantly at various festivals, churches, bars, barbecues, VFW and SPJST halls around Central Texas.
He also became an avid gardener, known far and wide for his legendary cucumbers, tomatoes and watermelons.
Gable was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Sophie Matcek; sisters, Leona and husband, Elmer Mitchell, Isabel and husband, Willie Elsik, Frances and husband, Earl Scarborough, and Sophie and husband, Johnnie Machann; brothers, Frank and wife, Mary Matcek, Jody Matcek, and Clinton and wife, Betty Matcek; as well as his beautiful wife, Lynne Camilla Carlton Matcek.
He is survived by sons, Trevin of Los Angeles, California, Thane and wife, Autumn, and their children, Ayla, Sayer and Isolde of Round Rock, Texas, and Tyron and wife, Rachel, and their children, Lillian, Tyron Jr., Trent and Camilla of Caldwell; sister-in-law, Faith Ward of Caldwell; a brother-in-law, Glenn Carlton and his wife, Jean, of Brandon, Florida; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Express condolences at PhillipsandLuckey.com.
PHILLIPS & LUCKEY FUNERAL HOME 404 W. Buck St. Caldwell, Tx 77836 979-567-3232