John Matysek 83, of Austin, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. John passed away peacefully at Belmont Village Lakeway where he was a resident.
John Matysek was born Sept. 28, 1940, in Taylor, to Johnnie and Louise (Fojtik) Matysek. He grew up with one precious sibling, Debbie Matysek.
John graduated from Taylor High School in 1959. During his high school years, he achieved many recognitions as a Taylor Duck. His athletic talents earned him a scholarship to continue his football passion at Del Mar Junior College, where he pursued a degree in education.
Del Mar was a wonderful foundation for him as they won the National Championship and played in the Junior Rose Bowl. He often reflected on the wonderful memories from the Junior Rose Bowl. After the national championship, he was afforded a scholarship from Baylor University to join their team. He continued his pursuit of his degree in education.
He played his final two years of football for the Baylor Bears. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at Baylor University. He made a good friend at his Memory Care who also played for Baylor at the same time. God truly works in mysterious ways.
John graduated from Baylor University May 1963, and was hired to coach football at Yorktown High School. He coached there until his high school sweetheart, Linda Baldwin, graduated from Southwest Texas State University. They married in May 1964, and started their new life in Yorktown.
He continued to focus on education and his passion of coaching and was offered an opportunity to coach with his former high school head coach, Bill Ford. His experience with Bill Ford and the Dickenson Gators was rewarding.
John and Linda welcomed a baby girl Dayna, which added to their adventure. John and Linda felt the calling to be closer to family and they knew with a new baby, family would be important.
John was hired to as an assistant coach at Crockett High School in Austin, where he taught history and coached baseball and football. He enjoyed his time teaching World History and teaching young athletes the benefits of being on a team and what that would mean to them for a lifetime. His passion truly was teaching and coaching young adults.
He was appointed to lead as the head coach at Crockett High School in his final years of coaching. He always talked about the wonderful colleagues that he was so blessed to coach with. They all had a profound impact on this life.
The memories that they made, and what he learned from them all was part of his destiny.
He moved from coaching to administration after he acquired his master’s degree in education from Southwest Texas State University. He became the dean of students after following the footsteps of one of his greatest mentors, Forrest Kline, who he admired and respected. His father-in-law Ross Baldwin, who was a former coach and principal at Taylor High School, also helped shape his next career in education. He served as dean of students until he was hired as the assistant principal at Hill Country Middle School in Eanes Independent School District.
He loved that he moved from being a Crockett Cougar to a Hill Country Cougar. He served as the assistant principal until the principal, Pat Patterson, was hand-picked to move to the high school. John then moved to principal and thoroughly loved his time with his colleagues and the students.
His passion for serving as a coach and mentor shined. He was devoted to making sure he impacted current and future generations.
The opportunity came up to move to Westlake High School. He was hesitant at first because one of his daughters, Dayna, was a senior and House Bill 72, which at the time was a huge overall to education. It was controversial and he knew change would have to be implemented, and he knew he would have to coach his toughest game, implemented change.
He suited up and in 1985 he started a new journey in his career. John enjoyed every aspect as principal at Westlake High School. He admired his administration team, teachers, students and the parents. He found the community of Westlake was truly a family. They were unified and determined to make Westlake High School the outstanding school it is today. That time in Westlake history, the school needed repair and a hands on approach. Johns’ passion for building and painting and construction came from his time working with his own father. He took this talent with other employees, and they painted the high school made physical repairs when and where needed.
After he was pleased that the school was back in tip-top shape he worked with the administration and teachers to make sure the quality of education was supreme. Westlake earned numerous awards and recognition including being recognized in Washington D.C. as one of the top high schools in America.
John was often found after work attending sporting, theatre and other extra circular activities.
He and his wife Linda had the greatest love for Westlake and the community. It was a joy to ride the buses to every game and all playoff games. They were chaperones to the Westlake Hyline on multiple trips to gain their awards at dance competitions. He dedicated himself to Westlake High School, but never lost site mentoring children to achieve their dreams. He knew that they were a gift from the Lord and finding their talents and coaching them to excel and dream was part of his greatest love. He always talked about his time as an educator was the most rewarding both coaching and being a principle.
He retired from Westlake in 1997. His sendoff was nothing less than spectacular. He was truly sad to leave, but happy his job was complete and the experience he had was truly rewarding. His home office reflected that, it was packed full of Westlake Memorabilia.
He took some time off and the desire to continue to serve in education continued to burn inside his heart. He joined the Texas Education Agency in Accountability. In this position, he met so many wonderful people who also became lifelong friends.
He retired in 2013, after he and his wife visited Meadowlakes in Marble Falls. He decided it was time to move back to his hometown of Taylor and found a beautiful home in a sought-after neighborhood. His wife became ill with Parkinson’s shortly after their move to Taylor. He was a devoted caretaker to his sweetheart until her passing in April 2021. He was lost without her but knew life had to go on. He put his best foot forward and continued to pursue his passion for bass fishing, boats and catching fish playing golf and taking care of his manicured lawn. He was even awarded yard of the month for his beautiful rose bushes. He became ill in February 2022 and had many visits to the hospital and rehab centers. He fought a long hard fight even having his left foot amputated due to a diabetic wound. His final stop was the Belmont Village Lakeway. He had so many caring and compassionate folks who took care of him along the way. He talked often about Heaven and joining his wife family and friends. He accepted Jesus Christ and rededicated his life to Jesus several times. He was satisfied that he had given his time and talents serving others to glorify Christ. His body was tired, and he longed to be reunited with his sweetheart.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; parents, John and Louise Matysek; and sister, Debbie Ford.
John is survived by his daughter Dayna Bolger and husband Tim Bolger; grandchildren, Carlisle Bohmfalk and husband Patrick; grandson, Sam Bolger; brother-inlaw Ken Baldwin, and wife Terry Baldwin.
A funeral was held Friday Aug. 11, at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos Parker Blvd. NW in Taylor. Viewing was from 9 to 9:30 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. Burial followed.
A celebration of life will be held in Westlake Friday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. at Austin Ridge Bible Church 9300 Bee Caves Road Austin, TX 78733.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
