Jerry Donald Mathis, age 78 of Onalaska, Texas passed away on September 11, 2013 at his home in Onalaska. He was born on March 25, 1935 in El Centro, California to parents W.L. ""Buck"" Mathis and Georgia Lee (Brown) Mathis.

Jerry proudly served our country in the U.S. Army for 25 years. He served in Vietnam and Korea and received numerous medals. He retired on September 30, 1976.

Jerry is preceded in death by both of his parents; son, Tony Wayne Mathis; brother, Walter Lee Mathis; brother, Melvin Ray Mathis; younger sister, Thurzia Faye Mathis Corker; brother, Robert ""Bobby"" Wayne Mathis; and two nephews. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Mathis of Onalaska; daughter and son-in-law, Susan Annette Freeman and Kevin of Palestine; son and daughter-in-law, Craig Hopkins and Heidi of Cypress; grandson, Clayton Shane Goss and Carissa of Garrison; grandchildren, Amanda Annette Goss and Jason of Crystal Beach, Halle Hopkins, Camden Hopkins, and Chloe Hopkins; 3 great-granddaughters, Cailin Goss, Kelsie Petitt, and Caylee Goss; siblings, R. Alene Mathis Cunningham, Gerald Glen Mathis, and Linda Kay Mathis Smith; 22 nieces and nephews; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Jerry will be escorted to his grave by the Patriot Guard Riders and his pallbearers, Kenneth Smith, Jimmy Cunningham, Kevin Smith, Kerry Smith, Jerry Mathis, David Mathis, Lance Mathis, and Tony Mathis. Honorary pallbearers include, Dr. Steven Feld, Dr. B. Reddy, Kevin Freeman and Clayton Goss.

Services for Jerry Mathis will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 14, 2013, at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas. Rev. James Frazier will be officiating. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Onalaska, Texas. Military Honors will be provided Ft. Polk Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 13, 2013, at 5:00 PM, also at Cochran Funeral Home.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochrafh.com