Manuel Matta Alvarez

MANUEL MATTA ALVAREZ was born to Yusidro and Dora Alvarez in Artesia, New Mexico on December 30, 1939. He attended Redwood High School in Visalia, California, and went to work for General cable, manufacturing telephone cables for AT&T etc. He worked for General Cable for 27 years as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

He enjoyed playing golf, and collected several trophies in amateur tournaments. He enjoyed camping, and traveled extensively in the United States. He abandoned his attempt to go to Alaska, because the AlCan Highway was so bad. Wisdom dictated that they turn around and go home. His travels fed a passion for seeing wildlife. Or maybe his travels were interrupted when he saw wildlife. Buffalo crossing the road in Yellowstone would cause him to hit the brakes. So would alligators crossing the road in Florida. Deer in the headlights have glowing eyes. I don't know about alligators.

He lived in Oakland and Los Angeles, and worked for General Motors and for Chef Boy ar dee. Moving to Oregon, he would attend Warrenton Christian Church. Even in dementia, God's grace lingered in the back of his mind.

He had two children, Andrew and Rebekah, with his first wife Mabel. He and Janet had four children, Herschel, Theresa, Darrel and Jason.