Matthew went to be with our Lord on Sunday, Aug 14, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 14, 1987 into a ranching family who has lived on their privately owned land for over one hundred years. For most of his life, his world revolved around the ranching life and cattle. Winter feeding and calving along with spring branding and shipping calves in the fall. As a good rancher, his cowboy life was also filled with mundane tasks such as fence building and the repair of ranch vehicles to get around in, including tractors. Matt broke and road many horses, but his one real, true horse-friend was a blue roan mare named ‘Sister’ who was calm, sweet, and really fast.
He started school in Springer and finished in Roy, New Mexico. Along with the ranching life Matt had an extraordinary interest and knowledge of American Military history and weapons, It seemed like Matt could answer almost any question on this subject from the American Revolution, the U.S. Civil War and the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last twenty years. Along with military history and weapons, Matt also had an almost perfect ear for music from Rock and Roll bands to pop music and hard rock.
The love of his life is his daughter Grace, being with her is what really made him happy!
Matt is survived by his daughter Grace Hephner of Raton, his parents Anthony and Cathie Hephner, of the family home in Gladstone, NM, and his sister Hope Hephner of Amarillo, TX, along with a large, close knit extended family.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the New Mexico Boys Ranch or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Springer, NM.
Services have been scheduled for Monday Aug 22, 2022, in Springer, New Mexico at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with a rosary at 9:30 am followed by the funeral mass at 10:00 am, with Father John Brashear as the Celebrant. Pallbearers are Hope’s two sons, Mack and Conner Ebell. Dinner will be served at the parish hall after inurnment at the Springer Cemetery.
Arrangements for Matthew Anthony Hephner are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
