Robert "Matthew" Hamm

Matthew left this life on November, 29, 2017. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Judy. Matthew was born in Midland, Texas on August 5, 1961. He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Hamm and Mary Lou Sarber Hamm. He was a member at West Erwin church of Christ.

Matthew attended High School at Texas Military Institute in San Antonio, Texas, where he was the "Big Man on Campus". Matthew was the first civilian Senior Prefect in the history of TMI. He was also quite an athlete. In 1978 he was the MVP on the football team and was the star pitcher for the baseball team, even pitching multiple no hitters. After high school, he attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.

Matthew served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a member of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Matthew initially served in the Mortar Platoon, but because of his outstanding abilities was moved to Headquarters Platoon. Matthew enjoyed his occasional reunions with his closest Marine buddies who will sadly miss "Hambone's" sense of humor and devotion to friends.

After an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Matthew completed his education at the University of North Texas, graduating with a degree in hotel/restaurant management.

Matthew moved to Tyler in 1997. It was here he met Judy Boles. As Matthew was walking with a realtor to look at a condominium, he spotted Judy sitting on her front porch. They waved. Matthew was immediately sold. He told the realtor, "I'll take it!" before he even saw the inside. They were married one year later.

He and Judy daily worked side by side in their own healthcare recruiting business that they started together almost 20 years ago. God richly blessed their efforts all those years. Matthew found his calling when he started working for Hook Land Management earlier this year. He enjoyed and excelled at this job and found much happiness in this career.

Matthew was authentically one of a kind-a man's man. He was genuine to the core, a truth speaker, fiercely loyal and honorable. He went out of his way to give "life advice" to countless young people. The Hamm's swimming pool was often filled with the laughter of children who loved getting tossed in the air by "Uncle Matt" and getting popsicles from Judy. They also knew that they couldn't have a better ally in tough times.

Matthew's dream of owning a little sliver of land came true earlier this year. He visited "The Land" most every day and worked hard with his hands clearing and making it beautiful; it was his delight. Although his ultimate plans for the land will be unfulfilled, it is with gratitude to God that he was able to experience that dream even if for a short while. It was his happy place.

Matthew had a huge appetite for knowledge and spent many hours reading. His favorite subjects were history and politics, but he was equally comfortable with topics ranging from economics to farming. In fact, his most recent obsession was honey locust trees. There were groves of them on his land. Everyone told him to cut them down and burn them. They were useless and the formidable thorns were dangerous. However, Matthew was a contrarian by nature and liked to think for himself and not follow the herd. He began researching the honey locust tree and learned that the wood is extremely strong and durable. He insisted on cutting down the trees by hand, shaving the thorns, and salvaging the wood. He would come in at the end of the day with scratches on his arms and even had to buy special boots so the wicked thorns couldn't pierce the soles, but he was satisfied because he had dug through the thorns to find the value of the wood underneath. That was Matthew to the core; it didn't matter if it was honey locusts or people, he could find the worth underneath the thorns because he cared to look for it.

Matthew had a very special loving relationship with his Mother-in-Law, Betty Boles. They were exceptionally close. Being at the land and dreaming of its possibilities was a shared love. They envisioned the cabin, bridge, barn, stocked fishing pond and fruit orchard that Matthew would bring to realty. Most recently they had planted 180 daffodil bulbs together. Lord willing, those bulbs will show out this spring and be a reminder of the joyful Sunday afternoon that they were lovingly planted.

In addition to his loving wife, Matthew is survived by his brothers, Richard Berry Hamm, Jr. and William Frederick Hamm, both of Dallas, and one sister, Mary Kathryn Hamm Jenke, also of Dallas, Texas. He also leaves behind a brother-in-law, John Paul Boles of Brownsboro, Texas and a host of nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. His very special local niece and nephew, Mary Beth and Wesley Boles will remember their awesome Uncle Matt for the great lengths he would go to in order to make everything fun. They will miss him greatly.

A special thank you to Stalwart friends, Joey Coker and Stacy Sanders.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

If desired, donations to 12 Way Foundation in Marshall, Texas can be made at 3901 Elysian Fields Road, Marshall, Texas 75672.