Gayland Joe Matejka

Gayland Joe Matejka, of Groesbeck, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, while at his ranch with his cows, the place he loved the most.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at "Joe's Place" (9376 E. State Hwy 21), Bryan, TX. 

Gayland was born November 22, 1950, to Bennie and Albina (Vytopil) Matejka in Bryan.    

After high school, Gayland joined the U.S. Marines.     After he was honorably discharged, he worked as a fireman with the Bryan Fire Department for a period of time, and then was a home builder in the Bryan area.  He was an extraordinary carpenter as well as a total perfectionist in everything he did.   When he set a goal, he made sure to achieve it.

Gayland moved to Lake Limestone around 2008 and built the new Lake Limestone convenience store, actually doing the work himself.   This store included “The Bar,” which was a popular gathering place.  

Gayland was united in marriage on February 1, 2014, with Stacy and they moved to Groesbeck, where he bought the “Jackson house” and completely restored it and the large yard, again doing the work himself to satisfy his “master carpenter” standards.    As time permitted, they enjoyed traveling and he also enjoyed bay fishing at the coast.

After selling the convenience store, Gayland opened “Matejka’s Bar-B-Que” in the old “Old Union Store” building which he remodeled.  Additionally, he owned the  Rockdale RV Park, and he bought land and cattle in the Old Union area.  This became his “happy place.”   Instead of retirement he worked harder.  He transformed a mesquite-ridden pasture to a show place, bulldozing the mesquites himself and walking the entire property was a sprayer on his back.   His goal was to breed Herefords with Brahma bulls to raise F-1s.  Being in the pasture with his cattle was his happiest place and time.   He also had cow dogs at the farm and two rescue dogs at home which were his constant companions.

Gayland was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Derik Matejka.

He is survived by his wife, Stacy Matejka of Groesbeck; his son, Brian Matejka of Madisonville; daughter and son-in-law, Amber and Mike Ferriol of Memphis, TN; and daughter, Devin Matejka of Austin; stepsons, Randy Brewer of Groesbeck and Timothy Brewer II and wife Leyna of Lometa; stepdaughter, Mallory McNutt and husband Clint of Midland; 8 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother, Derald Matejka and Debbie Brinkman; his sister and brother-in-law, Binnie Ann and Ronnie Roesler; sister-in-law, Barbara Matejka; sister-in-law, Kim Hogan; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gwen and Yancy Bean; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousin, nieces and nephews.