JMAT Company, REALTORS

JMAT Company, REALTORS Welcome to JMAT Company, REALTORS®. IF THE PROPERTY IS REAL, WE CAN DO THE DEAL! Coach Matte was born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St.

JMAT Company, Realtors was founded in 2022 by “Coach” John Matte, a 50-year veteran of the real estate industry. Ignatius, Montana. He started working when he was 6 years old with a team of horses and a plow and continued to work every year on his summer breaks from school. He attended Missoula County High school where he excelled in sports and rodeo and had numerous nicknames like "Yogi", "Taz" mania devil, and "The Bull". He was offered scholarships in football, baseball, boxing, and wrestling. Coach Matte chose to play football for the Montana Grizzlies. He was 2 year All-State football, state runner up in Wrestling, played in the All-Star game, and was Captain of the Montana Grizzlies. He coached the All Stars 4 years later in Montana. During this time He was given the "All around Cowboy" buckle award and became the Athletic Director for the Army in Fairbanks, Alaska. Coach Matte was awarded " Athlete of the Year" as an Army Officer ( Football, Baseball, and Handball), Yukon Command Champion, Volleyball, Badminton, Squash, Bowling, Rodeo, Ski team , raced the Downhill, Slalom and Giant Slalom, and Officiated High School Wrestling, He married the beautiful Miss San Antonio finalist ( Carol Sprenger ) who convinced him to earn a Masters Degree in Physical Health and Education making him the first Indian kid off the Reservation to earn a Master's degree. Coach Matte moved to San Antonio, Texas where he coached football for the Roosevelt Roughriders. He was inducted into the Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. Coach Matte's aspirations for a better life led him to the Real Estate industry where he became a Real Estate Agent in 1969 for Deanie Owens Company. With 5 years experience under his belt, he got his brokers license and owned and operated 13 Deanie Owens Franchises and a Remax Professionals office. He served on several committees at SABOR, was elected " Broker of the Year" for the Deanie Owens Co. Realtors., and was invited to speak at the Re/Max convention in Toronto. Coach Matte had several television and radio shows where he discussed and interacted with the public on Real Estate topics and issues. In 1993, Coach Matte founded The Home Team, Realtors. The company was based on his successful "Home Office" Concept in which he became the pioneer of home offices. He operated out of only one office and had a total of 700+ agents which made the company the largest , single owned office, in the state of Texas. Coach Matte sold The Home Team Realtors on June 1, 2006. but continued to sponsor and manage his agents until October 1, 2022, when him and his Personnel Director of 25 years was forced to leave the company. Today, 'Coach' John Matte has opened another Real Estate Company called JMAT Company, REALTORS® and has brought back his Personnel Director, Julie Herring.. Coach Matte has made it possible where his agents can work from their own homes. He also believes that his agents deserve 100% of their commission since the name of the companies that agents work for does not matter anymore nor do they generate business due to the fact that agents today sell themselves, not the companies they work for. Instead of a commission split whereas the agents would have to pay up to 50% of their hard earned money to their sponsoring broker, he has devised a transaction fee where the agent can keep 100% of their commission. Included with the transaction fee is a promise that he has made. He promises that the transaction fee will never increase and will remain the same throughout the life of the company. Coach Matte has a personal motto for all his agents and future agents and that is: "Coach Matte has your back, not your wallet!"

06/04/2026

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of John “Coach” Matte

John Francis Matte—known affectionately as “Coach” and to his college teammates as “Yogi”—passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 24, 2026, at the age of 87.

A real cowboy, visionary entrepreneur, legendary real estate leader, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and family patriarch, John lived a remarkable life defined by hard work, determination, and service to others.

His legendary work ethic began at just six years old, plowing fields behind a team of horses on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Montana. Growing up on the reservation, he earned a reputation as the toughest kid on the rez. A gifted athlete, he earned All-State honors at Missoula County High School before becoming a four-year starter and team captain for the University of Montana Grizzlies football team.

John proudly served as a Captain in the United States Army, where he was an athletic director and competed in military rodeos, riding bulls and broncs. His grit and athleticism earned him the coveted “All Around Cowboy” buckle and the title of Cowboy of the Year in Fairbanks in 1965. He later became the first Native American from his reservation to earn a master’s degree in sports medicine and was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

In 1967, John and his beloved wife, Carolyn Sprenger, moved to San Antonio, where he coached football and continued his lifelong passion for mentoring others. Whether coaching, teaching, leading, or building businesses, John remained a mentor at heart. Known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and ability to solve any problem, he made a lasting impression on everyone he met. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and spending time near the water.

John went on to build an extraordinary 50-year career in real estate, creating what became the region’s largest independently owned real estate company, with more than 700 agents. His company became known as the ultimate “home team.” Through his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed, he became a respected figure in the real estate industry and a mentor to thousands of agents throughout South Texas.

Above all, John’s greatest accomplishment was his family. He is survived by his wife, Willie Matte, whom he married in March 2026; his daughters, Dawn Elise Jackson and Michelle Ruhnke (Jason Ruhnke); his grandchildren, Andria Randle (Michael Randle), Kayla Matte, Brittany Ritchie, and C**t Ruhnke; five cherished great-grandchildren; numerous cousins from the Flathead Indian Reservation; his extended real estate family—the thousands of agents and professionals he mentored, encouraged, and led throughout his career; and countless friends, former students, colleagues, and community members whose lives he touched.

As God’s purpose for Coach Matte on earth has been fulfilled, his legacy of faith, hard work, leadership, and love will continue to live on through the many lives he inspired.

Visitation

June 12, 2026 • 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Service

June 13, 2026 • 9:00 a.m.

Location

Porter Loring Mortuary North

May we honor Coach by living with the same strength, determination, generosity, and unwavering commitment to family that defined his extraordinary life. His legacy will live on for generations to come.

06/01/2026

Address

4236 Thousand Oaks Drive Ste. 102
San Antonio, TX
78217

Telephone

+12108643304

Website

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