Matthew Robert Stone

Matthew Robert Stone was born on February 21, 1984 to Kelley and Ruth McCann Stone. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Matthew lived his entire life in Arlington, Texas, graduating from Martin High School in 2002. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2008.

Matthew was defined by his love of the Lord and people. He was dearly loved by his parents, family and friends, but also by so many people with whom he came in contact throughout his life. It seemed that everywhere he went he was constantly being greeted with “Hi, Matt” and people who would stop to talk to him.

Two words that readily come to mind when thinking of Matthew are “remarkable” and “exceptional”. Despite living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, he lived his life as if he had no disability at all. As a young boy he tried to do everything his friends did, playing baseball in the street, playing video games, and endlessly playing with his toy cars and building Legos. His friends treated him kindly and helped him when needed. After he began to have a lot of trouble walking, his first wheelchair gave him the ability to do many things. He didn’t see the wheelchair as a confining device but rather as something that enabled him to do the things he wanted to do. He played with the other kids at school, sometimes as recklessly as the others, once plowing into a dumpster playing ball outside the school. Several summers he went to church camp, not missing any activities or opportunities for fun.

A motto Matthew followed was that he could do everything he wanted to do and if, by chance, there was something he couldn’t do he would either find a different way or something else that he could do.

Matthew wanted to play in the band, so learned to play the clarinet beginning in Junior High and then at Martin High School. Even though he couldn’t march with the main band, he attended every practice, every contest, every ball game, and played on stage in every concert. Matthew had achieved such a great tone with his clarinet that his band director would use him to tune the band at the beginning of class. He received a rating of “I” at UIL solo contest one year after practicing very hard. He also enjoyed going to Band Camp at UTA for several summers, playing in the concert at the end of camp and making many new friends and acquaintances.

After high school, Matthew attended the University of Texas at Arlington, earning the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Concentration. He was truly brilliant in that he could remember what he read and learned in class and excel without the benefit of taking notes.

Matthew loved to read and was exceptionally knowledgeable about many topics. He could discuss any subject that came up in conversation, amazing everyone with his knowledge and understanding and true wit. He loved to read and bought many online books including popular fiction and World War II history. He used his computer constantly, sometimes reading, watching TV and listening to music all at the same time. He loved music, including classic rock and the blues as well as classical and symphony music such as Gustav Holst: The Planets.

Matthew was loved dearly by all who knew him and had a special bond with his Mother who did her best to help him achieve his goals in life and help him live his life to the fullest. He also had a wonderful Dad with whom he shared many interests and who helped him in many ways, teaching him to hunt and enjoy the shooting sports. His Dad served him in recent years, taking care of his needs at home and providing the occasional DJ services for music night. He leaves a huge hole in their hearts that they know God will fill with the wonderful memories of their 38 years with him.

Matthew also had a special bond with two wonderful grandmothers with whom he spent a lot of time, especially in his early life. His uncle Jeff also spent a lot of time with him, watching movies, reading books, and building models and Lego creations. Those times were special to Matthew.

It is hard to summarize the life of such a remarkable person in a few short paragraphs, but all who knew him will remember him as this amazing man who loved and accomplished much while here on earth. We know he was ushered immediately into the arms of Jesus when he left us and is enjoying a new and glorified body in Heaven.

Matthew was predeceased by his beloved grandparents Robert S. Stone, Annie R. Stone, and O.D. and Kathleen McCann. Survivors include his parents and aunts Kathy Bell and Carol Britton, uncles David McCann, John Bell and Jim Britton, and seven cousins and their families.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis, Arlington, Texas 76012. Funeral service will be on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Lake Church, 2912 Little Road, Arlington, Texas 76016, followed by burial at Moore Memorial Gardens.