Matthew James Green

Matthew James Green of Amarillo, TX passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in Amarillo at the age of 45. After a 27-year standoff with Crohn's disease, during which he stubbornly refused to let it win, God finally convinced him it was time to call it a draw and come home.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Church of Christ at The Colonies, 4500 Wesley Road, Amarillo. Arrangements are being handled by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Matt was born on October 11, 1979, in Northampton, England, while his parents, Michael and Connie, were missionaries—a detail he milked for years, claiming to be “officially British” and therefore better at tea-drinking and dry humor. As the youngest of four kids, he had to be tough and quick with a joke, especially since he knew he’d never get the last cookie.

A 1998 graduate of Trinidad High School in Texas, Matt managed to stand out as a Six-Man Football All-Star, and he later went on to Abilene Christian University, where he joined Galaxy Men’s Social Club and added countless friends to his orbit. Known as “Mr. Gregarious,” he had the kind of personality that drew people from all corners—whether it was at Blue Haven youth camp, ACU, church, AISD, or even his favorite poker rooms (where he wasn’t shy about letting luck play its hand).

Matt was a faithful Christian, guiding young people at Camp Blue Haven as a counselor, teacher, and likely the camp’s unofficial comedian. He started his career as a youth minister at the Golden Plains Church of Christ and later worked as a Library Assistant with Amarillo ISD, where he was known for making the quietest place in the building a little bit rowdier.

He was a lifelong superfan of Notre Dame football, The Beatles, and the Old 97’s, which may be why he was always in such a good mood—because his playlists could only improve the day. The absolute love of his life, however, was his son Micah. They were a hilarious, inseparable team who took on life’s challenges together, hospital stays and all. Micah was never far from Matt’s side, and if you didn’t spot him with his dad, just wait a minute—he’d be right there, usually climbing up into the hospital bed to give his dad moral support.

Matt is survived by his parents, Michael and Connie Green, son, Micah, former wife, Megan Green, sister, Debbie Foster (Chip) of Savannah, TX, brothers, Larry Green (Mandy) of Cypress, TX, and Tommy Green (Jennifer) of Savannah, TX, uncles, Tommy Key of Amarillo, Will Sellers (Carol) of Pflugerville, and Allen Green (Fran) of Marble Falls, along with a legion of nieces, nephews, friends, and people he somehow convinced to like Notre Dame.

He may have left us, but let’s be honest, Matt’s personality was way too big to fit in any one place for long. We’ll miss him fiercely, but we can already hear him reminding us to keep it light, love each other a little harder, and maybe even laugh a little louder.