In Loving Memory of Phillip Melford Mattz
January 29, 1936 – April 7, 2025

Phillip Mattz was born in Hoopa to Manuel and Pauline Mattz. He was a Hoopa Tribal Member and a Descendant of the Tolowa Nation and raised on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. He graduated from High School in 1954, and went on to attend Humboldt State University for three years. Phill met the love of his life, Betty Ann, during the 1964 flood when she came to Hoopa as a nurse to help with the disaster. In March of 1966 they married in Reno, NV. Together they had two sons, Tony and Victor.

For 55 years Phill worked as a logging truck driver, until his retirement. His truck was regularly seen parked on the corner of Loop Road during the many family BBQ’s. He always had a few nieces and nephews climbing around in the truck pretending to drive.

Phill was passionate about his faith, proud to be a born again christian. He was active in the Hoopa Baptist Church, often driving the church van around the valley picking up numerous kids for Sunday school. He also enjoyed meeting up after church to share lunch with his family at the Valley Inn or Laura’s Kitchen.

The majority of his life was spent tending cattle at the family ranch on Bald Hill. For many years he drove cattle up the summit with his father Manuel to let the cattle range for the summer. Spending many nights camping at Bear Hole and Andy’s Camp, the camp his grandfather Anderson Mesket established.

He experienced no greater joy than watching his only grandson play football. Sports were a big part of Phil’s life continually attending his niece and nephews sporting events throughout the years. He played football at HSU along with a small group of other young Hoopa men. Phil was known to drive fast muscle cars in his day. The kind you could hear coming before you saw them. He was particularly proud of his Red Corvette convertible.

Salmon was one of his favorite foods. He’d eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His wife would say “please don’t bring any more fish,” he would reply, “Betty Ann, you don’t have to eat it.”

Phill was a man of generosity, always there to share a meal, a good laugh, scripture or a prayer. He rarely made a request, but when he did, it was for a fresh apple pie, his favorite.

He is survived by his son Victor, grandson Manuel, daughter-in-law Earlene Mattz, his sisters Margaret “Maggie” Dickson and Marian Mattz, niece Leslie Jackson, niece Mary Nelson (Greg), niece Linda Blake (Warren Sr.), niece Pamela Mattz, niece Shelly Carpenter, nephew JW Mooney (Leslie), nephew James Mooney (Faith), niece Lisa Thoreson (Ron), nephew Mike Davis (Karen), special cousin Lavina Bowers, great nieces and nephews: Lila, Amee, Kim, Sarah, O’s, Sam, Margaret Mary, Harwood, Leslie, Jordonna, Warren Jr., Hannah, Jordan, Devin, Rachel, Clayton and many numerous Mattz and Hostler nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in Death by his wife Betty Ann, son Tony; brother Manuel “Skeezix” Mattz Jr., sister Lisette Davis, his parents Manuel and Pauline Mesket Mattz; his maternal grandparents Anderson Mesket and Marian Marie Hostler Charley; his paternal grandparents Manuel and Agnes Tom Mattz; brother-in-law Arthur Dickson; and nephew Joseph Moon; special cousins: Hilton “Tokes” Hostler Sr., Robert “Bob” Hostler and Raymond & Marvin Mattz.

Pallbearers:

Victor Mattz, Manuel Mattz, Harold O’s Campbell, Sam Campbell, Harwood Starritt, Leslie Starritt, Jed Morris, Sam Jones and Stevie Hostler.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Andrew Dunlap, Eric Matilton Jr., Elias Carpenter-Hess, Ralphy Peters, Lucas Garcia, Lucas Joseph Garcia, JW Mooney, Jordan Mooney, Devin Mooney, Warren Anawalt Sr., Warren Anawalt Jr., James Mooney, Harry O Campbell, Mike Hostler, Donny Mattz, Kenny Mattz, Victor Dobrec, Willie Hostler, Jasper Hostler, Aiden Mendes, Greg Nelson, George Moon, Junior Moon, Junkie Gray, Walter “Bud” Gray, Arthur Jones, Pecos Carpenter, Jason Pacheco, Jesse James, Willy Hoglan, Clarence Hostler, Michael Robertson, and Carl “Sweeny” Colegrove.

We apologize if anyone’s name was not mentioned, he enjoyed the company of many friends and family throughout his life and loved you all.

Graveside services were held in Hoopa, at the Hostler Family Cemetery at Hostler Field, on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 1 p.m. Reception followed at the Hoopa Trading Post.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Abe Sousa’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.