Jerry Wayne "Worm" Mateer, 77, of Cabot, was born February 15, 1942. The measure of a man can't be summed up in a few words, but we'll try. He grew up in the Baring Cross area of North Little Rock. We all went to Baring Cross Church, Baring Cross Elementary School, 4th Street Junior High and North Little Rock High School, even had many of the same teachers.
Jerry then became a Missouri Pacific railroad man like our father and our grandfather. He was a machinist and he loved it! He was not fond of the Union Pacific takeover and let you know it. He was retired from MO-PAC! This is where he got the nickname "Worm". You MO-PAC friends may remember, we bet we got the clean version.
Jerry had three sons, Russell, Lance and Mark. From them came six grandchildren, Brandy, Austin, Reece, Luke, Sophie and Daxton. He loved them dearly. As he grew older, Jerry spread that love around. He gave away toys and stuff to kids he met where he had breakfast every day. He knew cashiers, bank tellers, business owners, the Dallas Cowboys' owner, state and local representatives, doctors and nurses. All were recipients of his wonderful smile, wicked sense of humor and never-ending teasing.
Jerry was generous. He donated to charities, causes and tithed regularly, though his biggest love was Arkansas Children's Hospital. He was a regular donor for many years, so much that representatives were sent to thank him personally. We know he was proud of that, but he wouldn't tell you himself.
He loved his poker buddies and hanging out with his friend, Marshall Golgan, at the dump. There was a patio table and chairs where friends would congregate and we're sure lots of bull was tossed around on those days. Antiques, railroad memorabilia, etc. were his passion. We took road trips to Botkinburg, estate sales and Morris Antiques in Keo, always stopping at Charlotte's for his favorite piece of chocolate pie. He paid for ours, but first we had to endure endless teasing about the check.
Jerry left a bit of himself with everyone he ever knew or met. He will be sorely missed by those of us left behind. Momma, Lorene (Brickell) Mateer, Daddy, Emmett Mateer and brother, Ronald Eugene (Gene) Mateer have passed. Siblings Charles Ray Mateer and Sharon Mateer Reynolds, plus scads of nieces, nephews, greats and grand are left. God needed an Angel, and Jerry needed peace and rest, so on November 27, 2019, the Lord took him home. Some of the last Bible verses that we read to him were John 14:1-3. We hope you sense the measure of this man we loved. There will be a private family celebration of Jerry's life at a later date.
Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816. Please sign our online guestbook: www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.

Published December 6, 2019