Matthew Charles Warner

Our beloved Matthew Charles Warner died way too soon on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Matt is already greatly missed by his parents, David and Cindy Warner, his younger brother, Adam Warner, his extended family and many, many friends.

Matt burst into this world on August 24, 1989, in Dallas, Texas full of energy and curiosity. With his bright blue eyes, contagious smile and quick wit he worked his way through Coppell’s Mockingbird Elementary, Middle School East and graduated from Coppell High School in 2008. To say Matt excelled is an understatement – he did whatever he put his mind to. He grew up playing many sports – golf, baseball, water and snow skiing, soccer - playing competitive and school soccer, and then without explanation switched to tennis in high school. Matt’s unending determination helped him make the varsity tennis team. He never let obstacles ruin his enthusiasm and spirit of adventure.

Very early on, Matt told us he wanted to be an officer in the US Army. So, with his tenacity, brilliance and creativity he excelled academically in high school and was rewarded with a full Army ROTC scholarship at TCU. Majoring in Finance he made the Dean’s List every year and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate in May of 2012. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and immediately dove into more officer training.

In his eight years as an active duty Army Officer, Matt thrived in the seven different locations where he was stationed. Starting at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri as a Reconnaissance and Surveillance Platoon Leader, 23D CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear and Explosives) he went on to Fort Campbell in Kentucky as CBRN Officer of the 101st Airborne division for Air Assault. He volunteered to deploy to Camp Stanley in South Korea. Continuing to rise in the Army ranks, he then was stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona as an Intelligence Battle Captain at the Army Intelligence Center of Excellence. From there Matt went back to Texas at Fort Sam Houston and then became an Executive Officer at Joint Special Operations Command in Washington DC, and a quick stint at Fort Bragg, jumping out of airplanes. Matt accumulated lifelong friends at every base, fort and training camp with his big heart, trustworthy dedication and infectious and sarcastic sense of humor. Matt earned so many US Army medals and recommendations you’d become bored with a complete listing, yet we are quite proud of his Joint Service Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, the National Terrorism Service Medal and especially his Airborne and Air Assault awards.

After much deliberation, Matt chose to resign from active duty, went into the Reserves and charged back to TCU for his MBA. Since just getting his MBA wasn’t enough, he also studied and was awarded his Project Management Professional certification. While at TCU, Matt continued to impress and was hired by Ernst and Young to work as a Senior Consultant/Operations Analyst acting as a liaison between EY and the US Army.

Matt had so many hobbies and interests. At age seven, when his dad gave him his first BB gun while in the Smoky Mountains, he honed a love for shooting things and became an excellent shot. We’d often find Matt and his school friends fishing at the duck pond in Coppell, having nerf wars or playing video games. He was quite the video game player, challenging and defeating many, yet it was his poker nights with his best buddies that became quite the sensation. Matt had a knack for almost all sports including golf, any water sports, ping pong, soccer and tennis. Everyone benefited from his love of 4th of July fireworks and bonfires at the lake. And unbeknownst to all of us, Matt was an avid philatelist. All the Warner family dogs had a special relationship with Matt, from Rosco, who slept right beside Matt’s crib and tirelessly waited for Matt to return home from school to Sevvy, who “vacationed” at Matt’s home when his parents traveled.

Matt is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Jackie and Don Lafon, and his paternal grandparents, Betty and Harry Warner and cousin, Lauren Bradshaw. He is survived by his loving parents, brother, Uncle Chuck Lafon (Kristen), Aunts Suzy Self and Patricia Morin (Dave) along with his cousins, Heather Lafon (Jana Yowell), Chase Lafon, George Self, Tommy Self and 2nd cousin, Kinsey Lafon-Yowell.

Matt’s celebration of life will be Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 4:00pm at First United Methodist Church Coppell, 420 S. Heartz Road, Coppell Texas. A full honors service at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please hug your loved ones one more time. You may also make a donation in Matt’s memory to K-9’s for Warriors.