John Matthew Raley

John Matthew "Matt" Raley, age 50, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011 in Tyler, Texas. He was born on Thursday, September 8, 1960 in Longview, Texas to Jerry and Bobbye Raley.

He was a good, kind man that never met a stranger who had a heart as big as the outdoors. The one attribute that everyone remembers about him was his laugh; it was as big and hearty as he was. He loved his family, friends, and his dogs. If you knew Matt you knew his love for collecting, he always said "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

He is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Max Raley.

He is survived by his mother, Bobbye Raley of Tyler, Texas; a daughter, Joyce Raley of Austin, Texas; a sister, Dana Sewell and husband Chuck of Broussard, Louisiana; a nephew, Jerry "Poncho" Sewell; and two nieces, Cristi Wunch and Jennifer Myers all of Ashville, North Carolina.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Cancer Society.