It is with sadness and yet with rejoicing that we announce that David Matthew (Matt) Brown peacefully passed from this life into the arms of his Savior and Lord on December 23, 2024, surrounded by his wife and brother,
in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Matt, Big Matt, David, or Santa Davey, depending on who you were, had been suffering from metastatic pancreatic cancer for quite some time, but is now free of the pain and suffering he
had been carrying for so long.  He was 55 years old, and was preceded in death by his parents, David and Margaret (Wales) Brown of Denton, TX.

In his own words, this is what he writes of his wife:  "I've never regretted finding the love of my life, Dena (Wood) Brown, and being shown, once again, so very powerfully, personally, and deeply, how our Lord Jesus
Christ loves us!"  They have been married for 15 years, "a profound, life-altering journey where God has been showing me some deeply personal and spiritual truths about what it means to love more fully and with a type
of abandon that almost feels reckless at times!"

Matt is also survived by his Father- and Mother-in-love, Dan and Cara Wood of Johnson City, TN; his brother in heart and by choice Ken Lawson of Johnson City, TN; his sisters by birth, Kimberly (Brown) Wolf Gorman &
Brenton Gorman of Denton, TX, Jennifer Brown & Jack Eckhardt of Mohegan Lake, NY, and Kendralyn (Brown) & Tim Williams of Cross Roads, TX; his brothers-and-sisters-in-love Matt & Erin Wood of Cumming, GA, and Steve
Wood of Allatoona, GA; nephews Mark Wolf (fiancée Ellen Rice), Scott Wolf, and Christian (& Kalynn) Williams; nieces Lauren, Julia, Madison, Sara, Elizabeth, and Lindsey Wood, Ashleigh Wolf (fiancé Ryan Lang), and Alyssa
Williams.  He is also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles, by blood and marriage.  He is honestly survived by more family than can possibly be listed because he rarely met a friend that didn't become family, which
tells you a lot about who Matt was.

Born on April 25, 1969, in Freeport, Illinois, Matt and his family later moved several times before settling in Denton, Texas.  He loved science and built a working laser in the 70s when he was in grade school as a science
project.  He played football as a freshman and sophomore in high school but then transitioned to Jr. ROTC for his junior and senior years of high school.  He enjoyed building models and playing roleplaying games after
school more than academics, always having an artistic bent as much as a scientific one.

Matt was, first and foremost, a seeker of knowledge, of truth, and of God. He longed to serve his God and his fellow man.  He had a heart of gold and he touched everyone around him, usually for the better.  He rarely had a
problem telling people what he thought about any given topic and could be incredibly eloquent.  An amazing storyteller, he created worlds through words and images, sharing art in every medium he could get his hands on,
from pencils and pens to photography and videography and everything in between.  He had a deep voice, made for radio, voice-overs, or narration.

Matt dreamed huge dreams and was never afraid to pursue them.  He had an ability to visualize grand things and help others to see those possibilities as realities.  There was very little that he put his hand to
that he wasn't good at and he poured his heart into every endeavor, no matter how big or small.  He was an outstanding cook, known for his chili, his made-from-scratch pizza, chicken adobo, and his baked goods.  He even
made a phenomenal multi-course meal to propose to his wife.  He made beautiful leather goods, including hand-crafted armor.  He crafted in wood, paper, leather, and metal.  He could grow almost anything and often did.
He was fascinated by bees and kept bees in the last year of his life.  From the time he was small, he adored fishing and continued to pursue that up until the month before he passed when it became too cold.  His last time
out on Watauga Lake, he caught a personal best Small Mouth Bass!

He had a heart for children and for animals, too, and for people in need. He was often moved to generosity for foster children, animal rescues, the homeless, those who struggle with addiction, abuse, and mental illness.  He
loved people and would bend over backward to help them.  He had recently begun working with the Boy Scouts of America, helping to start a troop in Butler, Tennessee, a small community that grabbed hold of his heart 15
years ago when he first visited with his wife.  He was working to move to Butler and has asked to have engraved on his tombstone, "We finally got land in Butler."

Four years ago, he became one of the Brothers in Red when he found a passion for portraying Santa Claus.  The ability to bring joy to children and their families as part of the Christmas season while pointing their
lives to Jesus, the Reason for the Season, became the highlight of his year.  He was Santa for the Thoroughbred Club of America in Lexington, Kentucky, for four years, including just two weeks prior to his passing.
His joy, kindness, and innate gentleness with each and every child was a treasure to behold.  Santa Davey will be greatly missed by all those who were touched by the magic that he brought to their lives both at Christmas
and throughout the year.

Matt was a member of Butler Baptist Church in Butler, Tennessee, where he helped to restart the Men's Sunday School Class, who have been asked to be Pallbearers for his funeral.  He loved Butler and the church and was called
to minister to and through the church for as long as he was able.

Visitation for Matt will be held at Butler Baptist Church, 198 Piercetown Rd, Butler, TN 37640, from 11-1 pm on Saturday, December 28, 2024.  A Celebration of Life will follow at 1 pm, with the burial to follow
immediately at Butler Cemetery.  Butler Baptist will be serving dinner for the family at the church after the burial.  Any family members that are not able to attend the graveside service are welcome to wait at the church, as
the cemetery is somewhat hilly.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to any of the following:

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Isaiah 117 House

Dos Rios Resque

Samaritan's Purse