| Notes |
- Death Notice:
Matthew Douglas, 33, of Bryan, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2016. Life Celebration Services have been entrusted to Hillier Funeral, Cremation and Bereavement Specialists of Bryan.
(Published in The Bryan/College Station Eagle on August 17, 2016)
- Obituary:
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
--G.K. Chesterton
Matthew James Douglas
During the First World War, an English poet and soldier named Wilfred Own - who watched his very young comrades die following exposure to chemical weapons - questioned the long-held belief that "it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country." However, he failed to recognize the equally tragic loss that occurs when those of us who do live long enough to become veterans then suffer every day for it, agonizing in private and personal silences that stretch for a lifetime after the service we render to our country.
My name is Matthew Douglas, and although I loved my roles as a husband, father, friend and family man, I died Tuesday, August 16, 2016, after losing the longest battle of my life, with PTSD acquired during my service - two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan - as an infantryman for the 101st Airborne Division. At the time of my death, I was 33 years old.
I was born on June 23, 1983, in Grand Island, Nebraska, where I would spend most of my childhood and adolescence. My parents were Scott Douglas and Lorraine "Lori" Kreider, and while I did spend two years with them in Colorado when I was very young, I moved back to Nebraska to live with my mom and brother and sister when I was four years old (after my parents divorced); we used to call ourselves "the four pack" since we were tightly knit and thought of ourselves only as a single unit. My brother and sister are: Jason Lee Douglas and Cassandra Kay Douglas-Papp. As a young man, I participated in Big Brothers, Big Sisters and was mentored by my good friend, Ron Woijeski, who mentored me by taking me fishing, birdwatching and on excursions to his family farm. These trips helped me to develop a love of nature. Around this time, I also realized my love for horses as I spent time with my Grandpa Jack and Grandma Betty Coatney at Altoona Racetrack where Grandpa worked as a Thoroughbred trainer. There, he taught me about patience, communication and building trust with other people and animals. These lessons were especially invaluable to me after age fifteen, when I decided to adopt a retired racing Greyhound named Makeup Eyes; we were together for seven years, and since she came into my life, I have always owned a dog, including my most recent canine companion, Tank, who helped me deal with my anxiety and complications related to PTSD.
When I was 17, my mom's job took our family to Burley, Idaho, where I enjoyed outdoor living and improved upon my skills as an avid hunter and fisherman. Additionally, I worked hard to develop my talent for drawing and especially loved pencil sketches; I also tinkered on cars with my brother, Jason (when we weren't busy getting on each other's nerves, as brothers and best friends often do). I graduated from Burley Senior High School with a single goal in mind: I wanted to join the Army. While my mom was nervous during our discussions surrounding my becoming a soldier, she was also supportive, but she was more than a little mad when I returned home after a weekend of fun in Boise to tell her that I had already joined up. Still, she hugged me tightly as I left for Boot Camp, then moved on to my post in Georgia where I received training as a sniper. She continued praying for me, our family and our country through the events of 9-11 and my subsequent deployment to Monsol, Iraq, where I spent a year before returning home to Texas. Later, I returned to Iraq for another tour, this time to Ramadi. There, our movements were greatly restricted, so I was on base a lot; care packages from home kept me focused during this time. Even so, after two tours, I had received wounds to my knees, back and hip - as well as the unseen scars every soldier carries with him after combat - so I took an early discharge to return home in 2007 and received a Purple Heart.
By then, my life had changed dramatically after I had married my first love, Nicole, and she gave birth to our daughter, Emma, who has had my heart with her for 8 years now. With Emma, I shared my love of country music, as well as my devotion to the Pittsburg Steelers. Eventually, Nicole and I parted ways, and I met the love of my life, Brittany Hunter, as we both worked together for Cognizant Technologies, with my position being that of Building Manager and head of Security Staff. (Incidentally, I loved my job and away from work, I continued to hunt and fish, as well as to study karate at Montoya's Shorin Kempo Karate Jitsu in Bryan. I was blessed to meet many friends, wherever I went.) Together, Brittany and I have five beautiful and vibrant children, including: my stepson Shawn Lapaglia, my daughter Emma, our son Jack Douglas, our daughter Riley Douglas and our newest addition, Gunner Douglas. It was with Brittany that I truly learned the meaning of love, loyalty, devotion and sacrifice as I worked to provide for the family with which God had blessed me. In being a dad, my favorite moments came both on big occasions, such as the days my children were born, and on smaller ones, like the time we went to Legoland in Grapevine together. Over time, I have learned that any day spent with the people you love is a good day, and keeping a sense of humor is the secret to a happy life.
I know that sometimes, tough guys don't say much about such tender things as faith and family, but for me, life was built on both. Since I wasn't able to spend much time with my dad while growing up, I was determined to be the father I had always wanted. With PTSD, I struggled with the demands of daily life as a family man, even though I loved Brittany and our kids with every beat of my heart, with every breath I took. Despite the demons I fought - and maybe because of them - I know that God lives, that I am also one of His sons and that He knows my heart. I've carried a Bible into combat with me, and during dark days, I've often taken comfort in it; I trust that the messages shared in it are true and that God's promises - especially to those that love Him - are sure. I have found peace and comfort in my Savior Jesus Christ, who rose to live again, and through Him, I know that I will too. He is the Friend in whom I have trusted most, and I have tried to love others as He loves me.
Missing me now are my wife Brittany, our daughters, Emma and Riley, and our sons Shawn, Jack and Gunner; my mom, Lori Krieder, my brother, Jason and my sisters, Cassie and Stasha. I am also survived by my grandmother, Betty Coatney, my grandparents, Louise and Bob Young, Aunt Cheryl Werre, Uncle Dennis Werre, cousins Dennise and Michael Werre, Aunt Susan Hansen, Uncle Jeff Hansen, cousins Jordan and Brody Hansen, Uncle Samuel Coatney, Candice Coatney, and my cousins, Calina and Tristan. My father, Scott, and my Grandpa Jack - for whom my son is named - were here to meet me; we look forward to getting to know each other, once again.
Come join my family in celebrating my life (Steelers and Camo Gear Preferred!) on Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Hillier Funeral Home in College Station beginning at 2pm. The celebration will continue with a reception - including my favorite: steak & potatoes...and instead of sending flowers, spend that money on helping others. I recommend Brazos Valley Cares at brazosvalleycares.org.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Matthew James Douglas please visit our Sympathy Store.
(Published by Hillier Funeral Home of College Station, TX)
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1983 - 2016 (33 years)
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