Mathew Dale Dallas (Major, U.S. Army, Ret.) (Mat), 79, passed away on February 9th. Mat was born March 9, 1938 in Geary, OK to Maggie May and Arthur W. Dallas. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1942, where Mat attended Hawthorne Elementary and graduated from Classen High School.

Mat is survived by Ireeta Joy (Rita) Kirk, his wife of 61 years; four daughters: Deborah Denise Dallas; Sabina Suzanne Dallas; Kelli Michelle Roush (Ray); and Karen Valerie Dallas-Fost (Tyler), all of Oklahoma City; six grandchildren: Jacob Dale Roush (Summer); Mathew Scott Roush (Chelsea); Emerald Michelle Stanley (Rob); Alicia Marie Clark (Steve); Dallas Diane Brightwell, and Jordan Marie Fost; and six great-grandchildren: Vincent Kirk Pryor; Lilliana Michelle Stanley; David Carter Stanley; Andrew Tyler Pack, Marvin Howard Clark and Mabella Suzanne Clark and one on the way, Shepard Mark Roush.

After enlisting in the army in 1956, the love of his life, Rita joined him in Stuttgart, Germany, where they were married and lived for several years. In 1961, Mat was selected for and graduated the Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, where he was at the top in class leadership. Mat was then assigned to 2/9 Cav, 24 ^th Infantry Div., Munich, Germany for three years. Mat was ordered to Vietnam in March 1965, and served with the 1/4 Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. Initially a gunship pilot who flew long range recon patrols for jungle insertion, Mat was later reassigned as an operations officer. Mat was wounded in January 1966 and evacuated to Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, to the Reynolds Hospital for care and recovery. While under care at Reynolds Hospital Mat volunteered and served as Executive Officer 154th Aviation Company. Upon release from the hospital Mat was assigned as Instructor, Tactics and Combined Arms, Artillery School, at Fort Sill. Due to his wounds received in Vietnam Mat was medically retired from the Army in February 1970 at the rank of Major, with 14 years of service (four enlisted, ten commissioned).

For his service in Vietnam, Mat was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross w/oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star (with Valor), Purple Heart, Air Medal w/20 oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm.

In 1980 Mat co-founded/co-owned Frontier Express, Inc. (FRXP) with Onis Miller, which later included D&M Distribution Services and Dallas-Miller Logistics in 1991. In the 1990s, FRXP and D&M Distribution were both recognized by Metro 50 as one of the fastest growing companies in the OKC metro area. Additionally, in 1991, the National Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Program recognized FRXP for its "never say die attitude" for FRXP's part in helping with Oklahoma's economy survival during the four-year stagnant period of the late 1980s "with renewed strength." In July 1999, FRXP became the first recipient of the Oklahoma Family Business of the Year award for companies with 50-250 employees. In 2014, the original FRXP sold. Retiring in 2015, Mat retained emeritus Chairmanship of D&M Distribution Services.

Mat served the Oklahoma City community as a member of the Committee of 100. He also enjoyed being Santa Clause for the Sheriff's Department "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" organization.

Mat was devoted to, worshiped and cherished his family, and was fortunate to have many friends who he enjoyed playing golf and poker with, and enjoying lunch with. He remained especially close to his high school classmates through the years. He did not know a stranger. Everyone who met Mat could not help but fall under his spell. He was a man blessed with the gift of gab who enjoyed the well-deserved reputation of being a captivating storyteller.

Mat and Rita spent many winters in South Padre Island. They enjoyed spanning the world, many times with grandchildren or children. Traveling became a family tradition. Many a person would ask, How do you travel together? The response? "A family that travels together, stays together." And Mathew Dallas's family stayed together!

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 2400 Hefner Road, in Oklahoma City.  Burial with full military honors will follow at 1:00 P.M. at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home, Lawton.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Vietnam Veterans of America or Disabled Vets of America.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com