Matt Otey Musick, Jr.

Matt Otey Musick, Jr., 97, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Johnson County Memorial Gardens Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the service at 10:00 a.m., and burial at 11:00 a.m. The services will be live-streamed and archived at https://www.johnsoncountychapel.com/obituaries/matt-musick-jr.

Matt was born on June 6, 1928, in Bristol, Virginia, where he spent his childhood helping on the family dairy farm. Even at a young age, he knew farming wasn’t his future. A single-engine airplane ride at age twelve sparked a passion that would shape the rest of his life; he wanted to fly.

He graduated from William King High School in 1945 at the age of seventeen, having played football, basketball, and baseball. He completed one semester at Milligan College in Tennessee before entering the Navy V-5 program in 1946. To obtain the requirements needed for service as an officer, he attended the University of South Carolina.

In 1947, Midshipman Musick reported to Pensacola, Florida, where he completed rigorous military, academic, physical, and flight training. He continued his training in Corpus Christi, Texas, flying the Corsair F4U-4, a powerful fighter plane famously nicknamed the “Ensign Eliminator” for its high accident rate among novice pilots during carrier landings in its early history.

Matt earned his Navy wings of gold in 1948 and served as an officer and pilot in the United States Navy. Assigned to VA-25 Attack Squadron in 1949, he flew the AD-4 Skyraider until 1952. He separated from active duty as a lieutenant that same year and served in the Naval Reserves until 1958. Matt loved sharing flying stories with his family; his only regret was that his squadron never saw combat.

In 1952, Matt joined Trans World Airlines and moved to Kansas City, where he met Rosie, a Braniff Airlines stewardess. They married in 1954 and raised three daughters, Nancy, Marta, and Susie, in the Overland Park area. After Susie graduated from college, they relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, where they lived for almost seven years. During his final four years with TWA, Matt was based in Los Angeles and flew the Lockheed 1011 jumbo jet, which became his favorite commercial aircraft to fly. Matt spent 34 years doing the job he loved, retiring as a TWA captain in 1986. He half-heartedly left the desert air of Arizona to return to Overland Park in 1988, when Rosie insisted that they move back to be near the grandchildren. He enjoyed his grandchildren immensely and supported their school and sporting events for many years.

After retirement, Matt and Rosie ventured into the trucking business, initially investing in a couple of over-the-road trucks and forming Musick Trucks. They eventually expanded into an operation of thirty-seven tractors and sixty trailers, which operated under the name RPM Freightways. This business allowed Matt to purchase a six-seater Bonanza aircraft so he could continue his love of flying. Eventually, due to a diagnosis of macular degeneration, he was permanently grounded. He later became a member of the Quiet Birdmen, Kansas City Hangar, where he enjoyed socializing with other “good fellow” aviators.

Matt discovered his second calling by accident when he was persuaded into coaching Marta’s third-grade softball team. The team lost every game that first season, but Matt—never one to do anything halfway—decided that if he was going to coach, he was going to build a winning team. That decision led to nearly fifteen years of coaching both Marta’s and Susie’s teams. His teams collectively played almost one thousand games over the years, winning numerous league and tournament championships. His greatest impact was in mentoring his players. He taught them teamwork, sportsmanship, and how to conduct themselves with integrity. He never raised his voice, but his gentle standard— “Ladies, I’m disappointed in how we played”—was more powerful than any shout could have been.

Matt was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rose Musick; his daughter, Marta Buser; his parents, Matt O. and Minnie Musick; his sisters, Lois Moulton and Peggy Bostic; and his infant brother, Donald Musick.

Matt is survived by his sister Judy (Jerry) Mink; daughters Nancy (Michael) Czinege and Susie Hopkins; son-in-law Bill Buser; grandchildren Tyler (Amy) Czinege, Megan (P.J.) Greer, Todd (Abby) Czinege, Matt (Jennifer) Buser, Billy (Jackie) Buser, and Katie (Tommy) Lewis; Sara Hopkins and Thomas (Allison) Hopkins; and great-grandchildren Julia, Merryn, Kayla, Andrew, and Peter Czinege; Joanna, Mackenzie, and Teresa Greer; Reagan and Brooke Czinege; Ben and Beau Buser; Will, Johnny, Joey, and Annie Buser; Aspen, Rosie, and Tucker Lewis; and Jackson Hopkins.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Care Haven Homes for their compassionate and dignified care over the past eight years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Care Haven Homes, 3848 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Matt was a remarkable husband, father, grandfather, and friend—an honorable man remembered for his unwavering commitment to truth, honesty, and integrity. He lived by these values every day. He was a true gentleman and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Godspeed, Matt—may you have blue skies and tailwinds on your final flight.