Adan Mata, Jr., (77), passed away in his home on Thursday, June 1, 2023, after his brave battle with  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Adan also known as "Toto" was born in Brownsville, Texas, on May 7, 1946. He is the eldest of  eight siblings. In the early 60s, he put his education on hold in efforts to help his parents care for  their family until October 1965, when he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army to proudly  serve his country during the Vietnam War. During his service, he trained in Military Justice, Code of  Conduct, Non-Judicial Codes afforded to Commanders, and the U.S. Postal Service. He earned the  National Defense Service medal, Expert Rifleman's medal, the Good Conduct medal, and served as  the Executive Chef for all those in military training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

During his time of military service, he married his spouse, Maria De Jesus Rosas, in August 1968,  and built their first home. After his honorable discharge in October 1971, they made their move to  Houston, Texas where he would join the U.S. Postal Service for over 32 years of service. He  returned to school in 1976, where he earned his Associates from Houston Community College.

Adan is survived by his spouse of 54 years, Maria Mata and his children, Sonia Maria Elizondo and  Gabriel Adan Mata, his son-in-law, Luis Edward Elizondo, daughter-in-law, Jessica Mata, grandsons,  Michael Adam, Luis Angel, Miguel Angel, Enrique Adan, and James, his granddaughter-in-law,  Viviana, and great grandchildren, Lucas and Luna, his siblings, Evangelina, Raquel, Elvira, and Raul.  Adan is predeceased by his parents, Adan and Lydia Mata, brothers, Juan and Martin, and sister, Maria Ofelia.

Aside working for the U.S. Postal Service, Adan loved family time, his country, cooking (especially  for his grandchildren), fishing, learning, playing guitar, listening to music, singing, dancing, gambling  (Texas lottery), watching documentaries, watching old-western movies, watching baseball, advocacy,  and enjoyed volunteering in various organizations and membership including, but not limited to, the  American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Texas Notary Public, Montie Beach Community, Our Lady  of Sorrows Catholic Church, Christ the King Catholic Church, Denver Harbor Senior Center, and  actively participating in church bazaars and events.

Although Adan battled ALS for a few years prior to his official diagnosis in December 2020, he  strived to remain positive in hopes for a cure to allow him more time with family and friends. You  see, Time was also very important to him. It represented self-respect and respect for others. It also  allowed for more time with loved ones. He was a man of his word and notoriously punctual. He  loved his country. He also never lost his sense of humor and often cracked jokes to those who  helped care for him.

Adan's greatest pride were his grandsons, Michael, Luis, Miguel, Enrique, and James and great  grandchildren, Lucas and Luna. He called them his "Kings" and his "Queen". He adored them and  loved every moment spent with them and only wished he could spend more time with them and do more for them. The feelings were mutual. No doubt grandpa will be missed.

A mass will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10am until 2pm at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3006 Kashmere St. Houston, Texas 77026. The burial will take place at a later date at Houston National Cemetery.