Matthew Warde Tolman

Matthew Warde Tolman passed away on July 14, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 49. He was born on February 24, 1976, in Bountiful, Utah, to Jay David and Valerie Purvis Tolman.

A graduate of Bountiful High School, Class of 1994, Matthew’s love for music was evident from an early age. He was a member of the Lagoon All-Star Band during high school and continued that passion as a member of the marching bands at both Weber State University and the University of Utah. Matt’s love of music began in the Seventh Grade when he was gifted a trombone from his brother-in-law, Derren. A brilliant trombonist, Matthew mastered many other instruments, including piano, flute, clarinet, and guitar.

Matthew served in the United States Army for more than twenty years. After graduating from the U.S. Armed Forces School of Music in 2002, he served in the Army Band at Fort Lewis until 2006. Following his active-duty service, Matt served in the Utah and Arizona National Guard Bands.

Matthew’s academic journey reflected his deep commitment to music. He graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington with a music degree, followed by a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Phoenix, further studies in French at La Rochelle University, and a Master’s in Diversity in Music from the University of Phoenix. Matt worked as a public school teacher in elementary and middle schools—he taught band, orchestra, choir, and French.

From 1995 to 1997, Matthew served faithfully as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas McAllen Mission. Most recently, Matthew served in his beloved French-speaking LDS branch in Phoenix, where he was embraced by Branch President Jean-Michel Gillet and a loving immigrant community.

Matthew was a doting father to his daughter, Natalia Grimaldo Tolman. In November 2023, Matthew married the love of his life, An (“Annie”) Phan. He was a devoted husband and father, a loving son, and a fiercely loyal friend.

Matthew was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Christine Purvis and Warde and Beth Tolman, and siblings, Justin and Rachelle. He is survived by his parents, Jay and Valerie; his daughter, Natalia; siblings, Rebecca (Derren) Klein, Robyn (Rick) Ward, and Mark (Kim) Tolman, and many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Memorial services will be held at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Friends and family are invited to visit with Matthew’s immediate family prior to the memorial service from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Mortuary. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery, where Matthew will be honored with a military tribute by the Army National Honor Guard.

Matthew’s life was marked by a deep love of family, music, and country. He leaves behind a legacy of love, musicality, and service that will never be forgotten.

Life is music, teeming with harmonious and discordant notes that evoke both exultation and melancholy in our soul. Despite this painful crescendo, we take comfort from the vibrato of Matthew’s spirit that still plucks at our broken heartstrings.