The family of a man who died when he fell 40 feet inside a church spoke with KFDM News and remembered Logan Matak as a person whose life centered on his love of God, family, friends and the outdoors..
"He was so loving," said Belinda Matak, Logan's mother. "He never met a stranger and he opened his heart. He loved people and that's what I loved about him."
Relatives celebrated Logan Matak's 24th birthday only 11 days ago.
Tuesday they made his funeral arrangements.
Logan died Monday after he fell 40 feet inside the sanctuary at Cathedral in the Pines church off the Eastex Freeway in Beaumont.
He worked for Gulf Coast Electric and was doing maintenance in the sanctuary when a lift became unstable and he fell to the ground.
Logan's parents, siblings and friends say he touched many lives in his 24 years.
Dozens of people met with us Tuesday afternoon at Logan's parents' home in Fannett.
They talked about his smile, his laughter, his passion for his work as an electrician, as well as passion for fishing, baseball and softball.
But it was his love of God that stood out among everyone we spoke with.
They said Logan was a wonderful athlete. He began in little league where he was a catcher for his best friend, the pitcher.
Logan played baseball all the way through college in Illinois and at Panola Junior College in East Texas.
Logan's sister said his death is ironic. She said he died doing what he loved, as an electrician for Gulf Coast Electric, working in a house of worship for his first love, God.
"God sent me four angels and he chose to take one to be home with him," Belinda Matak, Logan's mother, told us. "And it's through his tragic death that I found out how many lives he has touched. And I just want to say 'thank you' to everyone who has responded with emails and food and prayer."
"He had always looked up to me, but in truth, he didn't know that I looked up to him," said James Matak, Logan's brother. "I was always envious of the life he lived and the people he touched."
"We will get through this because we know his faith in God was so strong and that he was in the right place when this happened, so he will be deeply missed," said Misty Sonnier, Logan's sister.
"He was the most forgiving and loving guy I've ever known," said Phillp Lynch, a longtime friend. "And I know that is because he knew the ultimate forgiver and he knew the ultimate lover. And deep down, he loved people, but he loved God first."
From Broussard's Mortuary
Logan Matak
3/20/1985 - 3/30/2009
Logan Matak, 24, of Fannett, died Monday, March 30, 2009 at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont.
He was born in Nederland and lifelong resident of Fannett, Logan was an Apprentice Electrician with Gulf Coast Electric, and an avid member of the IBEW Local Union No. 479. He was a member of Grace Community Baptist Church in Fannett.
He had a love for family, outdoors, especially fishing with his buddies, and a passion for baseball and softball. He loved to play dominos and other games with his friends and family. Logan has touched many lives in his twenty-four years and will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
Survivors include his parents, Belinda and Ricky Matak of Fannett; brother, J.R. Matak and his wife Whitney; sisters, Misty Matak Sonnier and her husband Jerry and Shelly Matak all of Fannett; grandparents, B.J. and Pete Matak of Nederland, Elsie Matak, and Johnnie and Walter (Wally) Kaspar all of Fannett; nieces, Shaylee Sonnier and Jenna Stelly; nephew, Blake Sonnier; and several aunts and uncles.
His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2009 at Grace Community Baptist Church in Fannett with burial to follow at Broussard Cemetery in Fannett under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Broussard's.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Community Baptist Church Wild Beast Feast Fund, 22044 Burrell Wingate Road, Beaumont, Texas 77705
Earlier story
Beaumont Police have released the name of a man who died after he fell 40 feet inside the sanctuary of Cathedral in the Pines church off the Eastex Freeway in Beaumont.
Police say Walter Logan Matak, 24, died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital Monday afternoon.
Matak worked for Gulf Coast Electric and was doing maintenance work inside the sanctuary.
According to police, Matak was on a lift at about 11 a.m. Monday and it became unstable. Matak fell 40 feet to the ground.
He suffered massive injuries to his head.
A spokeswoman for the church told KFDM News on Monday that "everyone had been praying for him."
Several people have posted comments on kfdm.com expressing their condolences to the family.
ownerof3 wrote: "This is such a very sad tragedy. Logan's sister is our co-worker and because of our love for her, our office mourns with her.
Idear679 wrote: "Please keep Logan's family in your prayers. They're going through a really tough time right now. He was a really sweet guy and is going to be missed."
Broussard's Mortuary is handling the funeral arrangements.
A gathering of family and friends will be held beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Broussard's, 1605 N. Major Drive in Beaumont.
Logan's funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at Grace Community Baptist Church, 22044 Burrell Wingate Road.
Interment is at Broussard Cemetery in Fannett.
Logan's family spoke with KFDM News reporter Ashley Gaston. They remembered a man relatives say died in a place where he was close to God and doing what he loved.
::: You will be missed greatly :::
over and out,
--Leah--
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