Matthew "Matt" John Brown

Matthew John Brown (Matt), native Texan and Upshur County landowner, passed away in a car accident on March 16^th 2023 in Jacksonville, Texas. Matt was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 8^th 1986.

Matt was raised in Kingsville, Texas with three siblings (Jessica, Eric, and Katie) with whom he shared a tight bond. His memory will be carried on through their love of tennis and fishing. Attracted to any body of water from an early age, Matt started not only fishing, but also catching any water life he could get his hands on. In middle school, Matt picked up a tennis racket and his whole world changed. He played competitively at HM King High School, where he earned a scholarship to attend Tyler Junior College. At TJC, he studied Professional Tennis Management and earned his USPTA Coaching Certification. While in school, he met the love of his life, Laura. After graduating from TJC, they got married in the Tyler Rose Garden. Matt went on to coach at country clubs and tennis facilities in Mississippi, Texas, and Nebraska; but he was most proud of building his own program as the Director of Tennis at the Courthouse Athletic Club in Longview, Texas. Through his coaching he helped countless people develop their talent and love of tennis.

Matt was an avid fisherman who loved the south Texas coastline and whose fish stories matched his catch. Fishing was a true passion. Whether night fishing under the lights, gigging for flounder, kayak fishing, or fishing in fresh or salt water – the specifics didn’t matter. Any day on the water was a good day. Sharing the time, stories, or fillets with a friend was even better.

Matt was a man of varied interests. The ultimate grill master, Matt spent over 10 years learning how to grill nearly any meal on any pit. He was an early believer in the future of cryptocurrency and enjoyed sharing market trends with his friends. Matt had a wide network of friends from all phases of his life, and he made it a priority to stay in touch. He counted his friendships as one of his treasures.

Most of all, Matt loved his wife, Laura, and the time they spent together, whether running errands, vacationing, fishing, or just quietly watching tv. They spent 16 years side-by-side, partners in life and best friends. His love, laughter, songs, and quirkiness filled their home with warmth. His memory will stay alive in her heart.  

Matt is survived by his wife, Laura; children, Peanut and Kona (canines) and Wedgie (testudine); mother, Terry Brown Riggs; father, Richard Riggs; sister, Jessica Brown; brother and sister-in-law, Eric and Kallie Brown; sister, Katie Riggs; nieces and nephew, Cambrie Brown, Aaron Pedraza, and Rylee Rabadan; mother-in-law, Ruth Hutcheson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Sam Hutcheson; as well as many other close family and friends.

Funeral services for Matt will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 10:00 am at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer, where a visitation will be held on Sunday, March 26 from 2:00-4:00 pm.  Following the funeral services, Matt will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Gilmer.