Matthew "Matt" G. Meziere, Jr, 77, of Hilliard Florida, passed away following a brief illness on November 9, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was much loved and admired by his family and friends for living life fully and with integrity.

Matt was born on March 31, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as one of six children. He was preceded in death by his father, Matthew G. Meziere, Sr (1981) and mother Mabel Meziere (2004) He was married to his beloved wife Peggy V. (Hodges) Meziere, for forty-six years. Matt devotedly cared for Peggy for several months prior to her passing in 2012.

Matt's memory will be cherished by his three sons Tim (Sue) Howard, Kenneth Howard, and Gary (Decie) Meziere, daughter Sherry Meziere (Richie) West, former daughter-in-law Shannon Meziere, grandchildren Tiffany (Dustin) Gardner, Genevieve Howard, Adam Howard, Cody West, Chase West, Trevor Meziere, Jessie Wetherhill, Jack Wetherhill and great-grandchildren Malcom Howard and Georgia Aubrey Gardner; and by his sisters and brothers Annie, Judy, Mary, Patrick and Steve, and their spouses, children and grandchildren, and many dear friends.

Matt developed his values of family first and hard work from an early age. He was mechanically gifted and took up his father's vocation as a sheet metal tin bender, a career that he pursued for over 30 years, working out of Jacksonville Local #435 and then at Saint Regis and Container Corporation paper mills. From his father he also developed a lifelong love of hunting and was a well-known member of the South Hillard Hunting Club. Though Matt lived in the Jacksonville area for over 50 years he embraced his Okie roots and frequently travelled to Oklahoma to spend time with his family there, rejoicing in each new addition.

A true patriot, Matt enlisted in the Navy following a short stint in college and was a decorated two term veteran who served on the USS Harry E Hubbard (DD 748) and the USS Ault (DD 698) during the 1960s. His life changed forever in 1966 when he met and fell in love with Peggy while stationed at Mayport. He embraced her two sons, Tim and Ken, as his own and rejoiced in the births of Gary and Sherry. Eventually settling in Hilliard, Matt always made sure his family came first, attending school and sporting events and spending many hours coaching little league games for which he is still remembered fondly by many in the community. He continued to pass that legacy of caring on to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, by arranging numerous fishing trips to his second home in Florahome, excursions to Chuck E. Cheese, attendance at their sporting events and movie outings.

In his retirement years he continued to pursue his interests in hunting, fishing and travelling frequently with Peggy to their favorite vacation spots in Daytona Beach and the Keys. He was an amateur historian who was well versed on the Civil War and visited many battlefields on family trips. Outgoing and gregarious, Matt was knowledgeable about many current events and loved to engage in conversation with others.

Matt was also a long time, born-again Christian and passed with blessed assurance in his faith. His witnessing and personal testimony over several decades helped bring many others into relationship with the Lord. He was a member of Live Oak Baptist Church in Hilliard and Buford Grove Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School classes and helped with Vacation Bible School.

According to Matt's wishes, the visitation and viewing for family and friends will be held at Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US Hwy 1 Callahan, FL. on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Live Oak Baptist Church 36178 Congregation Lane, Callahan, FL on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 11 a.m., Pastor Steve Wolgamott officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church cemetery, 36061 Bethel Church Road, Hilliard, Fl.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in support of military veterans at www.garysinisefoundation.org.

Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest book at www.nassaufh.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Nassau Funeral Home 541720 US Highway 1 Callahan, Florida 32011 904-879-1770.