Virgil Matlack

Virgil Matlack was born October 2, 1926 in Burrton, Kansas to Karl and Nellie Matlack. He grew up on the family farm, graduated from Burrton High School in 1944 at which time he enlisted in the United States Army where he served until the end of World War II.

Mr. Matlack attended Wichita State University until going to work in the oil fields in Vernal, Utah.

Mr. Matlack married Alta Johnson in 1947. He continued to work in the oil fields in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. The couple moved to Sterling in 1951 where Mr. Matlack established Virg's Testers continuing a 40-year career in the oil industry.

Mr. Matlack moved to Denver, Colorado where he retired in 1995. He enjoyed traveling, piloting his Cessna 206, fishing, golfing and taking his grandchildren on trips throughout the western United States.

In Sterling, Mr. Matlack was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church and served on the Sterling City Council. In Denver, he served as a deacon at Denver's South Sheridan Baptist Church, was an active participant in the Windsor Gardens Residents' Association and ardently supported Set Free Prison Ministries.

Virgil passed away on August 9, 2005 in Aurora, Colorado. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Alta N. Matlack, daughter Kathy Matlack of Denver, son Fred and wife Vivian of Pasedena, Texas, daughter Virgie Nelson and husband Gary of Sterling, and grandchildren Cary Phillips and Rikki Phillips France (Jake), Corrie Nelson Wilson (Adam) and Kendra and Karley Nelson, Alison, Aaron and Adam Matlack and great granddaughter Hannah Wilson.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, 5-7pm at Newcomer Family Funeral Home – West Metro Chapel – Lakewood, Colorado. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 13, 2005, 10:00 AM at Red Rocks Baptist Church, 460 S. Kipling St., Lakewood.

Interment will follow on Monday, August 15, 2005, 12pm at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling, Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made to Set Free Prison Ministry, P.O. Box 19760, Denver, CO 80219-9917.