Matthew "Matt" Dawson

Matthew “Matt” Dawson was born in Lubbock, TX, February 5, 1989. Matt had a passion for helping people from a young age. He was active in church missionary work and loved to lead the younger church generation. Even as a young man, Matt touched the lives of many. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and had a contagious smile. Matt graduated high school from Lubbock Cooper in 2007. He joined his dad in the family business, but the calling to help people in Matt was fierce. In 2009, he joined the Woodrow Volunteer Fire Department. Matt quickly felt he was where he needed to be and went to school to get his EMT-B in 2009 at South Plains College. Matt decided to pursue a career in the fire industry and attended Wolfforth Fire Academy Class 10 in the fall of 2010. During this time, he proposed to his wife, Chanda, in Ruidoso, NM. Matt and Chanda married September 10, 2011, in their home church, Calvary Baptist. Matt knew he wanted to serve the community he grew up in and started testing for Lubbock Fire Rescue. In 2014, Matt and Chanda welcomed their beautiful daughter, Preslee. Two months before Preslee’s birth, Matt accomplished his high driven goal and was hired with Lubbock Fire Rescue. In addition to his fire career, Matt loved to fill his spare time learning new things. He picked up woodworking and started a small patio business. After Matt’s accident, he picked up leather work and kept himself busy making things for the people he loved. There wasn’t much that Matt couldn’t do and if he didn’t know how, he quickly learned. In 2017, Matt had the opportunity to get his full Paramedic Certification. He loved all things medical and could talk about it for hours. He completed his Paramedic courses through LFR and proudly obtained his certification in 2018. He was always striving for more and looking for ways to make his mark with the fire department. He discovered he had a passion for teaching and completed his fire and medical teaching certification in 2018. He became an instructor with the Wolfforth Fire Academy. He loved sharing his passion with young men and woman.

Above all of his achievements with his career, Matt was a devoted Husband and Father. His family was his world and he was a classic, true family man. Matt loved the outdoors. In his spare time, you would find Matt camping, hiking, fishing, having beers with the guys, and spending time with his family. After Matt’s accident in 2020, he continued to inspire people with his strong drive to overcome his injuries. Matt worked with many notable Texas officials to have the Matt Dawson Act passed. This act allows Texas First Responders that are injured in the line of duty to receive workers’ compensation benefits for life. He touched the lives of so many with that contagious smile and his “can’t stop won’t stop” attitude. He loved telling dad jokes and making everyone laugh. He fought hard to progress further, shocking doctors and therapists with his miraculous recoveries. Matt passed away peacefully in his sleep November 26, 2023, after fighting a good fight for almost 4 years. He touched the lives of so many and will be missed more than any words can describe.

Matt is survived by his wife, Chanda; daughter, Preslee; parents, Michael and Cinthia; and sister, Connie (spouse Lukas, and children, Chloe and River).

Matt's family will receive friends and family on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 4:00PM until 6:00PM, at The Venue on Broadway, next to Combest Family Funeral Homes in Lubbock.

In honor of Matt, a Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 1:30PM at Cook's Garage in Lubbock.