Matthew Monroe Kauffman

Matthew Monroe Kauffman (age 40) beloved son of Lura G, and Carl H Kauffman died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, December 20, 2014. Matthew was a native of Nashville where he attended Ensworth School and Bellevue Middle School. He graduated from Hillwood High School where he was a member of the Marching and Concert Bands.

After graduation, Matthew held various jobs in Nashville until 2000 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Matthew did his basic training at Parris Island SC serving as his training platoon squad leader and earned the Marine Corps Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. He finished as second place Honor Man in his platoon and trained as a linguist and interpreter at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey CA. After further training in cryptology he was assigned to be a linguist/interpreter of Spanish and Creole French for the National Security Agency based in Fort Meade MD. Matthew served faithfully there for five years attaining the rank of Corporal. During this period Matthew was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal for the National Security Agency.

Upon leaving the service he spent a year working for the Lockeed-Martin Corp as a researcher/analyst. This was followed by a career with the Books-A-Million company where he started as a sales person and during the next six years worked his way up to becoming a General Manager. Matthew first became a BAM General Manager at the newly opened BAM store in Spanish Fort AL. He transferred back to Nashville to become the General Manager of the BAM store on Charlotte Pike.

Throughout his life Matthew was an avid reader and writer of poetry and short stories. He had an eclectic taste in authors as well as in music and had a beautiful singing voice. He enjoyed cooking unusual dishes and was very fond of growing and cooking with hot peppers. He owned and trained two Doberman Pinchers (Jaunty Mr. Loki, and Dr. Faustus) who loved and obeyed his commands.

He is survived by his parents Carl and Lura Kauffman, sister Rebecca Kauffman, Aunt Diana Kauffman Carpenter, Uncle Richard Carpenter, cousins Adam Carpenter, David Carpenter and Lauren Carpenter and numerous friends who loved him like a brother.

Time of Sharing and Celebration will be at 3pm Saturday, December 27, 2014 with visitation from 12 noon until service time. Burial will Marine Honors will be on Monday at 11am at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Visit the full online obituary: www.MarshallDonnellyCombs.com