Matthew was born in Irving, Texas, but liked to say he got to Austin as fast as he could. He attended Grisham Middle School, attended home school in Elgin, Texas, and studied at the University of Texas at Austin.
If you knew Matthew in school, you also knew his devoted Grandparents James and Helen McKnight, who he has joined in heaven, along with his Grandmother Shirley Key and her husband Jack and Matthew’s grandfather Gerald Bramlett, Sr. Pleased to be a son, grandson, and nephew of salesmen on his father’s side of the family, Matthew chose another family trade, working in residential construction alongside his older and younger brothers.
Matthew loved long country-evening walks in rural Elgin, and he keenly observed the natural world, especially animals. His knowledge of many topics was encyclopedic, including film, physics, philosophy, and composers of classical music and film scores. He was a Believer, a Catholic, and on the West Mall of the University of Texas campus, Matthew began a lifetime of brilliant participation in debates, taking a theist position against atheism.
Matthew was always eager to help his friends and family in their intellectual pursuits. He was involved in multiple independent film and television projects, including the Austin Access television shows Speak to Grapho and Wall of Confusion. He also starred in the independent films “The Side Quest”, “Proper Villains”, “Gotham Texas”, and “Dirge”.
A true original, unique in his approach to thought and life, Matthew was proof that some angels come bearing a sword. His honesty could be disarming, but came from a place of goodness and with a spirit of generosity. The lessons Matt taught us cannot be learned in any book, but he was so constant in his positions that we will forever know just what he would say, how he would advise us, in any situation, and we’re better for it.
Matthew liked to say, “Hang on tightly, let go lightly.” He was tenacious, while willing to look back at himself with a laugh.
First and foremost, Matthew was Our Friend. Matthew touched many lives. In addition to numerous friends, those who will look forward to seeing him again in heaven include his son of whom he was immensely proud, Neo Bramlett of Austin, Texas; Matthew’s mother, Deborah Boetman of Austin; his father and stepmother, Gerald and Paula Bramlett of Fredericksburg, Texas; brother Gerald Bramlett and his daughter Gisele of Austin; brother Jacob Bramlett and sister-in-law Sarah Crawford of Austin; his sister Jean Marie Lopez and brother-in-law Jerry Lopez and their sons, Nikos, Diego and Isaiah of Austin; sister Esther Bramlett of Buda, Texas; his uncle and aunt James and Denise McKnight, of Arlington, Texas; his uncle Tim Bramlett of McAllen, TX; his uncle Jack Key and aunts Mary Capps, Monica Key, Rose Key, and Marcella Selberg of Fort Worth, Texas; his cousin Joshua Key and Zack Coplin of Fort Worth, Texas; and his beloved fiancé Ashley Marquez of Austin, and her daughter Mary and son Joseph.
A rosary service for Matthew will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750. Visitation will occur Tuesday, October 18, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750.
A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 19, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Austin Catholic Parish, 2026 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705. A committal service will occur Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX 78731.
A reception will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 PM in the Antioch room down the street from St. Austin’s Catholic Parish at 1900 San Antonio Street.
