Frank E. Matz, Jr

Born April 30th, 1940, and died July 18, 2026

Frank passed away peacefully at his home in Arroyo City after a long and happy life with his beautiful bride, Linda Matz.

He was the son of the late Frank E. Matz, Sr. and Pearl (Prenzler) Matz of Harlingen, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; sisters, Marianne Brons, Cara Lynn Meyer, and Harriet Matz. Also preceding him in death was his grandson – Jarryd Dane Elliff.

Those who carry on his legacy are the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Linda (Houghtaling) Matz; daughter Christine Elliff Blouch (Kenneth); sons Frank E. Matz, III (Alisa); and Jeffery D. Matz (Marlo).

He is also survived by grandchildren Christopher Elliff (Ashlynn); Hayden Matz (Taryne); Katy Matz (Andrew Michulka); Rafe Matz (Ashley); Alix Matz, and 3 great-grandchildren – Jarryd “Foster” Elliff, Ciri Matz, and Harrison Matz; numerous cousins and a slew of friends - old and young, all of whom he considers family.

Upon graduating from Harlingen High School, he briefly attended Texas Lutheran College and Texas A&I-Kingsville. Before long, however, he realized he was spending more time thinking about Linda back home than focusing on his studies. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. He married his one true love, Linda, on January 26, 1963. After completing his military service, he returned to Harlingen and briefly worked for a local air-conditioning company before stepping out on his own.

In 1973, he founded Central Air & Heating Service, Inc. (CAHS). With three young children, the family station wagon serving double duty as the company service truck, and Linda working alongside him, they built the business from the ground up. Their children often say they were raised on love, not money. Through hard work, integrity, perseverance, and a belief that nothing is more important than your word and your family, they created not only a successful business but also a life rich in love, values, and lasting memories.

An avid fisherman and hunter, he spent countless hours on the water with friends, children, and grandchildren, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Along with five close friends, he built a "shack" on the Intracoastal Waterway – naturally, the first one equipped with air conditioning. It became a place filled with laughter, storytelling, and countless fishing trips.

Some of his greatest joys came from taking his grandchildren to the bay, where he introduced them not only to the beauty of the water but also to the simple pleasures of fishing and the importance of spending time together as a family. Those days on the bay became life lessons, creating traditions and memories that will be cherished for generations.

Known for his quick wit, larger-than-life smile, and open-door policy, he had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel like family. If you met him once, chances are you became part of his extended family. He had a special love for children, and over the years, all of his friends' kids and his children's friends became "his kids," while every one of his grandchildren’s friends was welcomed as one of his own grandchildren.

After living in Harlingen and moving to Arroyo City, routine gatherings simply found a new home – no special occasion needed. His barn became the place to be, where the smell of barbecue filled the air, stories grew a little taller with each telling, and laughter carried long into the evening. Whether you stopped by for a meal or just to visit, there was always a chair waiting for you and room at the table. It wasn't the place that made those gatherings special - it was Frank. It didn't matter whether you had known him for years or had just walked through the door for the first time - you left feeling like family and often remained so for life. He had a rare gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel like they belonged.

He was quick with a comeback, usually a clever one, and never at a loss for words. He was a man's man, yet his heart would melt at the sight of a child. His laughter was infectious, his stories unforgettable, and his presence impossible to ignore. He lived life in a big way, loved generously, and was, in every sense of the phrase, bigger than life - the real deal.

Rather than saying goodbye, we invite you to join us for an "Until We Meet Again" celebration of Frank's life on Saturday, July 25, at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life beginning at 5:00 p.m. Please come comfortably and casually. For those who would like to attend but are unable, the service will be live-streamed. You can access the service by clicking on the following link: https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/U6ZVQ8

In place of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial donations be made in Frank's honor to the Jarryd Dane Elliff Memorial Scholarship at Texas A&M University - Galveston, established in loving memory of his grandson.

Memorial contributions can be mailed to:

Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. -- Please designate gifts as “In Memory of Frank E. Matz, Jr” in the memo line of your check and include account number 400-35564.

To make a gift online, please visithttp://give.am/FrankEMatzJrMemorial  and select “This gift is in honor of Frank E. Matz, Jr.” in the gift details section.

The greatest way to continue honoring Frank's memory is to live as he did – all out big, with laughter, kindness, generosity, and a willingness to help others. Extend a helping hand to someone in need, share a warm smile with a stranger, welcome others as family, and make the world a little brighter, one person at a time.