Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Matlock, Harold Lloyd  December 2004
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com January 2, 2005, 4:08 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Harold L. Matlock
Services: Mon., Jan. 3, 2005, 12 Noon

Harold Lloyd Matlock was born April 18, 1924 in Gadsden, Arizona to loving 
parents Olive Brandon and Wiley Matlock. When Harold was six months old, the 
family relocated to Bakersfield, California, a city he would call home the 
rest of his life. He attended local elementary and high schools. Harold 
lettered in football, track and field and was the first Black to be selected 
for a Senior Service Award during his senior year at KCUHS (now Bakersfield 
High School). He attended Bakersfield Junior College in the fall of 1942, 
during which time he played football for the Renegades. In 1943, Harold was 
drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a Platoon Sergeant in France, Germany 
and Belgium during WWII. 

After returning home from the war, Harold married Fern Spencer in 1946. He 
began a career in law enforcement in April 1948, starting as a deputy for the 
Kern County Sheriffs Department. Harold worked for the Sheriffs Department for 
31 years during which time he was promoted through the ranks from Sergeant to 
Chief Deputy in charge of Corrections. While working for the Sheriffs 
Department, Chief Matlock was very instrumental in the development and 
building of the Lerdo Correctional Facility.

During his life, Harold devoted his time to numerous local and national civic 
organizations. Since 1968, he was a member of the Westchester Kiwannis Club. 
He served as Commissioner of the Civil Service Board of the Bakersfield Fire 
Department, as a member of the American Red Cross National Nominating 
Committee, and as a President of the Kern County Camp Fire Girls. Harold also 
received numerous awards and honors, the most recent of which was the E.W. 
Williams Scholarship Committee, Community Services Award in the winter of 2004.

One of Harolds most cherished affiliations was as a member of Cain Memorial 
AME Church. He was a devoted member of the church since childhood; his booming 
off-key voice and loud hand-claping were heard in the pews of Cain for over 75 
years. He served the church in many capacities including Steward, Trustee, and 
Class Leader.

Harold will always be remembered for his devotion to his family and friends. 
He loved to watch track meets and football with his grandchildren, as well as 
eat out with his wife. He was the consummate community man, and will always be 
remembered for his take charge manner and commanding voice.

Harold was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Alvin Geary. He 
leaves to carry his legacy a host of relatives. Surviving him are his wife, 
Fern; three adult children, Saundra, Harold Jr., and Theo Bell (Joanne); 
brother, Oliver (Arnetta); six grandchildren, Brandon, Sydney, Shelly, 
Phillip, Teleah, and Terran; and two great-grandchildren. He will be missed by 
numerous family, friends, and peers who affectionately knew him as Mr. M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in honor of Harold L. 
Matlock to one of his beloved organizations: Cain Memorial AME Church, The 
American Red Cross, The Dr. Ernest W. Williams Scholarship Fund at Cal State 
University, Bakersfield, The Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens 
(BARC), or The Cal State University, Bakersfield Athletic Dept.

Services will be held Monday, January 3, 2005, 12 noon, at Cain Memorial AME 
Church, 630 California Ave. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery.

Ruckers Mortuary Family Owned & Operated 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.
*Posted in the 2 January 2005 edition
*Obit year/date correction:  "Services will be held Monday, January 3, 2004, 
12 noon, at Cain Memorial AME Church .." should read "Services will be held 
Monday, January 3, 2005, 12 noon, at Cain Memorial AME Church ... "

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