Matthew Charles Lawyer lost his 10-year battle with heart and kidney disease Saturday, June 23, 2007, in Denton.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3000 Old North Road, Denton. Dedication of the grave: Roselawn Memorial Park. Arrangements are being provided by Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Denton. Visitation: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Pallbearers will be Adam Lawyer, Aaron Lawyer, Benjamin Lawyer, James Gowins, Brent Lawyer, Josh Lawyer and Daniel Lawyer.

Matthew was born Dec. 5, 1955, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Charles Clovis and Grace Lewis Lawyer. He was the fifth of six children to bless their home. His young life was quite adventurous as he accompanied his family to his father's military assignments in Hawaii, New York, Ethiopia and finally El Paso. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Asmara, Ethiopia, and remained a faithful and active member all his life.

It was in El Paso that he met his future bride, Rosemary Avant. Matt and Rose were married Jan. 4, 1975, in Manti, Utah. Their lives were blessed with seven children and one grandson.

Matt's kindness and gentle wisdom were appreciated by all who knew him. Matt was an educator by profession and earned a bachelor of science degree in technology from the University of Houston and a master's degree in education administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. His latest assignment was as a technology consultant with the Birdville ISD in Haltom City, Texas. He was an active Scouter as a youth and earned the Eagle Scout rank. As an adult, he served in various capacities as a leader with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

His family will ever be grateful for the priesthood blessings, prayers, fasts, love and support and skillful medical care offered on his behalf during his valiant struggle.

Matthew was preceded in death by his mother and father; his brother, David; his sister, Carol; and his father-in-love, Ira Marshall "Tom" Avant.

Survivors: His bride, Rosemary; his children and grandchild, Rachelle, Adam and his, wife, Jeanna Malmberg Lawyer, and their son, Evan, Rebecca, Aaron and his wife, Katrina Dalton Lawyer, and Benjamin; his mother-in-law, Eloise Avant Lamoreaux and her husband, Gale; and his brothers and sisters, Karen Lawyer Pettingill and her husband, Cliff, Daniel Lawyer, Gracie Lawyer Peters and her husband, Bob, Marsha Avant Roth and her husband, Dale, Libby Avant Brinegar and her husband, Rickie, Ira "Mike" Avant and his wife, Carla, Tomie Avant and June Avant Arrellano. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many other who loved him.

Published in the Star-Telegram on 6/26/2007.