Matthew H. Smith

August 13th, 1998 - August 1st, 2024

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Matthew Smith, beloved son and brother, passed away at the age of 25. Matthew, or Matt, was a Theatre Tech teacher in Dallas, Texas. Born in San Antonio on August 13, 1998, he moved from Waco to Dallas after graduating in 2020 from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Technology.

Matthew always had a full schedule. He filled his time with projects, such as Lucha Teotl at Prism Movement Theatre and Matilda Jr. at Genesis Children’s Theatre, as well as found time to play numerous tabletop and trading card games. He even won regionals for Final Fantasy the trading card game in 2024. He had a passion for food, which he loved to share by cooking for friends and always having a restaurant to recommend, even in a different city.

Despite his busy schedule, Matt always made time to be fully present with his friends and family. His words were compassionate and insightful. He humbly went out of his way to help others, and was quick with a joke or story. Matt was “a well of never ending kindness.” And he wasn’t just “blanket nice” according to his friends, because he provided what you needed most, whether that’s gentle parenting through a hard hike for one person or motivational teasing to push through a long project for another.

Matthew Smith’s talent for connecting with people really shone in his work as a teacher and was highlighted by his winning a First Class Teacher Award from Mesquite I.S.D. in 2021 for first year teachers who exceed expectations as well as the nominations based Texas Thespians Green Apple Award in 2022 for directors all over Texas with 1-5 years experience teaching. Mr. Smith was admired as a mentor for his vast knowledge of theatre, related to both tech and acting, but more importantly he was a role model to his students for how to treat people. His students had a safe space to be themselves without judgment, and they often spent their free periods and lunches in his classroom. Mr. Smith made it a point to connect with his students by seeking a common ground, such as a shared passion for music or anime. He not only believed in his students; he taught his students to believe in themselves. Although he didn’t have any children, his students will carry on his legacy of a passion for theatre, a positive attitude, and corny dad jokes.

Matthew is survived by his parents Patricia and Roger Smith, brother David (Cristina), niece Mireya, nephew Arian, sister Desiree (Justin), and niece Caroline. He also leaves behind a host of extended family including aunts, uncles, and cousins who will continue to mourn his loss for years to come.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 22, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Oak Hills Crownridge Campus (19595 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78257) Doors open at 9:30am. The service will also be livestreamed (https://vimeo.com/event/4513717) starting at 9:45am. Following the service, a reception will be held from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

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A Grateful Parent

My child was one of his students. During the school year his students saw him more than their own families....my daughter specifically spent half of her summer working shoulder to shoulder building sets with him. The last time she saw him he pulled $100 out of his pocket and gave it to her because he thought she wasn't paid enough for the work she did over the summer..... It meant the world to her for him to care like that. It is just one of the memories she will carry with her of Mr. Smith. Our kids were lucky to have him....and their love for him is evident by how they do their best to remember him now. He always had multiple paint keys hooked to his belt....now each of his students each keep a paint key on their keychains for him. They have lists of "Smith-isms" on their phones and play the "cringy" clean up song that he loved so much. He might not be here, but he will never be gone.... his sets will still be built, just with different hands and the torch he crafted will be carried by those who he built up and sent into the world to bring more creativity, ingenuity and humor to the world. Thank you Mr. Smith, I am so grateful that you were a part of our children's lives, not all that they will meet in their lives will be as kind, generous and genuine as you, but they had you, even for a short while, they had you.

Published August 22nd, 2024

Peyton Wood-Smith

Matt was an incredible friend, classmate, and colleague. I was blessed to have known him as Matt and as Mr. Smith, and to see the impact he has had on everyone around him from friends and family to his students. His kindness and generosity will never be forgotten❤️

Published August 21st, 2024

Ford Cates

I unfortunately did not get to know Matt as much as some others in our little community, but the little I did get to interact with him was always such a pleasure. Our card game matches, one-sided or not, I always had fun with because he was such a kind soul and a great sport. I always looked forward to those fist bumps when we sat down together.

Published August 21st, 2024

You lied to me, Matt. You lied to me. July 20th 2024. 4 weeks ago, you hung out at my house in Houston with all the boys. It was an honor having you among us. We had an amazing time; it was super fun. And when you left and I hugged you goodbye, you said to me you'd be back and sleep over again next year. You lied to me. You so lied. I was looking forward to seeing you again, having you here with your friends, people who love you, cherish you, and respect you. But now instead Im sitting here, typing this out while crying out over your loss. This wasn't the plan, Matt. This wasn't the plan at all. I did not know that that hug was our very last goodbyes. Just know that when we speak of you, it is nothing short of the highest regards. It's all the memories we have of you, nothing less than the greatest respect. And Im so sorry I couldn't see through it and done something about it. You will be, and always will be, the gentle warrior. I still got some work to do in this world, but when I cross over, I'll see you on the other side. 'til Valhalla, my brother.

Published August 22nd, 2024

Joel Garcia

The fact that in the single year I spent hanging out with Matt, he became one of those friends that always seemed to have been there since the start was insane. He started off as just another dude to hang and play cards with but quickly grew into a irreplaceable friend that I could always go out to eat with or just grab a beer and crack some jokes with. I never thought he would be traveling the country with me and it saddens me that those trips will never continue

Published August 21st, 2024

Nathan Velazquez

I will always remember the marches we played against each others win or lose you always had a fun time playing him. Before we played the finale in Tyler I told him I’m still going to try my best but if you win you truly deserve this and he told me no no this is a whole new tournament it can be either of our turns I will never forget that

Published August 21st, 2024

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