Free-thinker, creative, charismatic, intelligent, earthshaker
As a young boy, Matthew loved learning magic. He was playful with a serious side that motivated him to expand his vocabulary and constantly seek new information, and he remained true to these qualities throughout his life. His wit, charisma, and beautiful smile and curls made him easily favored by family, friends, counselors, teachers, and parole officers alike. It also made it difficult for his mother, April, to stay mad at him.
April called Matthew her free bird because he challenged the status quo, unapologetically embraced his authentic self, and honestly expressed his feelings. This, plus his intelligence and determination, led him to seek truth in life relentlessly. Hungry for knowledge, he strove to understand himself and the world around him and felt drawn to study human psychology and travel. In the meantime, Matthew had applied to electrician school and wrote a business plan to be a traveling electrician before his passing, hoping one day to own his own business. Matthew dreamed for others as much as himself and wanted to help his community by opening a sobriety home.
Matthew had many talents. Most notably, he was a self-taught musician who loved playing guitar and writing songs–which he did for multiple bands–and he never shined brighter than when he performed onstage. He dreamed of being a famous rock star, but his creative pursuits didn’t end there. Art came easily to him and he would send drawings to his mother while in treatment facilities. He was also an awesome skateboarder, and you could find him honing his skills at the Rose Park skatepark or up and down Texas streets.
Matthew loved his family. He was the best big brother and wanted to improve for his younger siblings, Bella, Solana, and Eliseo. He was there to gently cradle Eliseo when he was born, to see Solana’s ultrasound, and to be at Bella’s birth. The milestones didn’t have to be momentous for Matthew to make them special. A simple car ride or phone call always brought Matthew and his mother together. The two would go for late night drives to clear his head, travel back to Abilene from Weatherford, and take lunches to Kirby Lake to enjoy nature, and a phone call united them when the distance was too great. He’d call April for advice and to update her on his latest work and how his week was. Just listening to his concerns meant everything.
There still isn’t a day that goes by where his younger siblings don’t mention him. They miss Matthew dearly, and in many ways, he is still with them. Eliseo saved a special seat and a slice of cake for his “bubba” at his third birthday; he is in Solana’s dreams, showing her magic tricks, cooking for her, and watching tv with her; and he motivates Bella in her work to make her community safer. Because of her brother, Bella collaborated with the school nurse to get certified to teach fellow students overdose reversal medication administration.
An army of people loved and guided Matthew, and now, his memory remains to provide his loved ones the same direction and care.
Matthew’s mother, April Barron, provided the information for this narrative. February 18, 1999-July 14, 2024–Age 25
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
