Matthew Kal-El Maciel

2007 - 2026

Matthew Kal-El Maciel
03/30/2007 - 03/21/2026
Matthew Kal-El Maciel entered into eternal peace on March 21, 2026. He was a loving and cherished son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend.
Matthew graduated magna cum laude as a member of United High School's Class of 2025. During his time at United, he earned numerous UIL awards in CX Debate, served as vice president of the Video Game Club, and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
Matthew was a freshman at St. Edward's University in Austin, where he was a recipient of the President's Merit Scholarship and was majoring in Video Game Development. He maintained a 4.0 GPA and was recently nominated to the National Society of Leadership and Success at the university.
His many passions reflected a curious and remarkable spirit. Matthew was a talented, detail-oriented artist who earned several local and school awards, including Honorable Mention and First Place. His sketchpads were filled with his favorite cartoon and video game characters, superheroes, dinosaurs, and airplanes. He continually worked to improve his artistic skills, taking art classes both in and out of school.
He was an avid collector of Transformers and found great joy in sketching them and creating action filled photos and videos. He enjoyed all genres of music, but felt a special connection to 1980s hair bands such as Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, a passion reflected in his rocker style and long, rockstar hair.
Matthew found joy in the beauty of nature and in the company of his cherished pets. He shared a love of toy collecting with his loving father, a passion that began with his Grandpa Meme. He especially delighted in his Grandma Elia's brownies, his mom's enchiladas suizas, trying new foods with his beloved sister, Natalie, playing video games with his close friends, and the fun of late-night Taco Bell runs.
Matthew will forever be held in the hearts of his loving parents, Manuel J. and Grace C. Maciel, his adored older sister, Natalie C. Maciel, his grandparents, Manuel and Elia L. Maciel, Ambrosio and Graciela E. Melendrez, Esteban and Alicia Mendiola, Godparents Steve (Janie) Mendiola, uncles Mark A. (Jennifer) Mendiola, Michael E. Maciel, William R. "Sonny" Gutierrez, Jr., Dean (Ann Marie) Melendrez, David Maciel, Hector Maciel (Gloria Sandoval), and aunts Mary Lou (Armando X.) Lopez, Jessica M. (Carlos) Hinojosa, Melissa Mendiola, Briana (Korte) Mitchell. His close friends Jonas Hovermale, Nick Alarcon, and most especially his best friend and "brother," Sebastian Hinojosa. Matthew will also be lovingly remembered and missed by numerous extended family members and friends.
Everyone who knew and loved Matthew knew him as a thoughtful, loving, kind, and gentle soul who will be deeply missed.
Pallbearers: Manuel J. Maciel; Michael E. Maciel; William R. "Sonny" Gutierrez Jr.; Kayley A. Mendiola; Steven Mendiola; Sebastian Hinojosa; Jonas S. Hovermale; Nicolas S. Alarcon.
Honorary Pallbearers: Manuel Maciel III; Ambrosio Melendrez, Esteban Mendiola, Steve Mendiola, Mark A. Mendiola, Carlos I. Hinojosa; Ricardo Hernandez Jr.; David Maciel and Hector Maciel.
The family of Matthew would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers during this difficult time. Your kindness, comforting words, and shared memories have brought great strength and solace. Matthew's life touched so many, and it is a comfort to know he was so deeply loved. The family asks that you continue to keep them in your thoughts as they honor his memory and carry his spirit forward.
The Maciel family will be receiving guests on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm. The chapel will reopen at 8:00 am on Friday, March 27, 2026 to depart at 9:30 am for a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 10:00 am. Interment will follow to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, located at 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041, (956) 723-3611. For those wishing to express their condolences, you may do so online at www.freddickey.com.