Matt Holland's Obituary
Matt Holland was born on January 5, 1973, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and entered his heavenly home on December 8, 2025. He was the son of John Wilson Holland, Jr., and Marilyn Elizabeth Spurlin Holland.
From the day of his birth, which was an icy January day that entailed a thrilling and somewhat treacherous drive from Rogers to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Matt enjoyed a life of adventure.
Not long after he was able to ride a bike as a child, he was joyously freewheeling all over town. One of his happiest Christmases was when Santa left him a Diamondback BMX bicycle. Matt loved his Diamondback! He rode it all over Rogers; and he also won several awards in local bike competitions for his racing skills. Then, after he turned sixteen, Matt traded in his bike for his dad’s bright red Chevy truck.
Matt graduated with honors from Rogers High School in 1991, where he participated in the REACH gifted and talented program and in sports. He then graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 1997. He loved aesthetics, design, and drawing, which was evidenced by his meticulous penmanship, renderings, and artwork.
After graduation, Matt worked for a number of local architectural firms, and also spent a brief period working in Phoenix, Arizona. More recently, he dedicated his time and focus on home renovation projects for clients and friends. He was a consummate perfectionist, and always insisted on the highest quality of craftsmanship in his work. He would tackle almost any home remodeling project. Matt could handle a full range of construction work from electrical, to plumbing, tiling, painting, and landscaping. He was a jack of all trades when it came to building.
Additionally, Matt was very cultured. He enjoyed touring other parts of the United States and spent a brief period of time studying architecture in Latin America and Europe. However, his deepest love was for the state of Arkansas. He enjoyed touring state parks, exploring back roads, and discovering areas that were new to him. He was also a skilled photographer and has shared numerous photos of beautiful Arkansas landscapes along his journeys.
Matt was an animal lover and a loving father to his “fur babies”, including Ava von Gott, his short-haired dachshund from Arizona, and Sol, his long-haired dachshund, who you would often see riding in Matt’s lap with his nose pressed against the window. Matt loved and spoiled these pets, who were his beloved friends and companions.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dr. Robert and Mary Spurlin and John and Betty Holland; his uncles, Robert, John, and Jim; his aunts, Linda and Louise; and his cousins, Sara, Todd and Suzanne.
Matt is survived by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Carrie and Tony Dawes; his niece, Lillie Dawes; his brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Erin Holland; his nephew, Sterling Holland; his Aunt Sharon and Aunt Margaret; and his cousins, Laura, John Frank, Libby, Caroline, Lee and Ricky.
Matt was a free spirit, a man with so many skills, a man who had a unique perspective on life…and now he flies with the angels, free and unencumbered. You were deeply loved, “Matt-O”, and you will be missed every single day.
In Matt’s memory…hug your loved ones whenever you can; plant a tree or shrub; or cultivate a flower garden so that you can be attuned to the peace which Mother Earth gives so freely; love your fur babies and if you don’t have one, adopt one and give it a caring home; freely explore the byways and waterways of our beautiful state, as he did, so that you can appreciate your good fortune to live in the Natural State.
The family thanks all those who loved, supported, and shared friendships with Matt and especially those who recognized what a unique treasure he was. Most of all, he had a good heart and empathy for those who were considered “less than”.
Matt will be remembered by his family in a private service. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Memo: Landscaping Fund, 307 W. Elm, Rogers, AR 72756. If you have a special memory of Matt that you would like to share, cards may be sent to his family in care of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, Rogers.
https://www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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