Matt Holland went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 21, 2012.  A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early.  Matt was born June 11, 1969 in Brownwood, Texas to Diane & Larry Holland.  Matt grew up in Brownwood, attending Woodland Heights Elementary School and Brownwood Junior and Senior High Schools.  Matt attended San Angelo State University and later the Endicott Design Institute in Boston, Mass.

Matt loved nature, spending time gardening and working outdoors, and also had an extremely creative eye for interior design and like his mom, a love for antiques.  Matt’s incredible talents in design & art led him to live & work in Sante Fe, NM as well as Galveston.  He loved the water, especially the beach, and was a certified lifeguard.  He also loved the New Mexico mountains, where he spent many vacations with his family at the cabin in Ute Park.  His biggest love was for his dogs Vivian & Buster, as well as training other dogs at the Mitchell’s.  Matt had the greatest sense of humor.  He loved doing things for other people and was especially fond of the Latch Key Program and of his home church, the Greater Faith Ministry.

Matt is survived by one sister, Sally Haynes and husband Scott and one nephew, Garrett of College Station; dear friend, David Griffin of Brownwood; his family on his mom’s side, Grandmother, Mary Waldrop of Brownwood, one uncle, Paul Waldrop Jr. and wife Lynda; two aunts, Evy Winn and husband Rowland, and Susie Chiles and husband Keith.  Matt is survived by eight cousins, Tressie Winn Chambers of Austin, Frank Winn of Brownwood and Rex Winn of Malaga, Spain; Michelle Brasher and Sam Waldrop of Brownwood and Becky Warren of Dallas; Wes Jackson of Kyle and Brit Jackson of Corona, CA.

Survivors on his dad’s side include an uncle, Rob Holland and cousins Shane, Kelli, Christy, and Natalie.

Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Diane who passed from this earthly life in August 2011 and his father, Larry who passed in June 2008.

Memorials are requested to be made to the Brazos Valley Animal Shelter, 5359 Leonard Rd., Bryan, Texas 77807 or to a local animal shelter of the donor’s choice.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the guestbook at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net