Matthew Sawyer "Matt" Blanton, Jr.

Matthew Sawyer Blanton, Jr., was born on June 15, 1941, in Fort Worth, Texas. He passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, after a life defined by leadership, hard work, and devotion to his family.

A celebration of life will be held at 11am on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Rush Creek Christian Church, 2401 SW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, Texas 76017. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service at the church.

Matt attended Texas A&M University, class of ’63, and built a distinguished career in the technology industry. He worked at IBM Hewlett-Packard and Data General during pivotal periods in the growth of enterprise computing. He later founded Startech Early Ventures, where he served as founder and president. Through Startech, he demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, technical insight, and a commitment to building something lasting though discipline and perseverance.

Matt was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father, Matthew Blanton, Sr.; mother, Louise (Hooper) Blanton; and his sister, Sue Beall Shaffer. He is survived by his wife, Frances (Green) Blanton; sons, John Blanton and wife, Priscilla, and Patrick Blanton and wife, Jehan; grandchildren, Katie, Lauren, Leah, Darah, and Paxton.

He will be remembered as a steady and principled man who valued responsibility, loyalty, and providing for his family. His legacy continues through the lives he shaped and the example he set.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to a local animal shelter or to Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the U.S., or to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in his memory.