Garrett Michael Matthias
July 06, 2018
Garrett Michael Matthias
AKA “The Great Garrett Underpants”
3/26/13 – 7/6/18
My name is: Garrett Michael Boofias
My birthday is: I am 5 years old
My address is: I am a Bulldog!
My favorite color is: Blue….and Red and Black and Green
My favorite superhero is: Batman…and Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and Cyborg
When I grow up: I’m going to be a professional boxer
My favorite people are:
• Mommy, Daddy, my sister ‘Delcina’ (Delphina),
• The grandparents with the new house (Fredric and Cheryl Krueger),
• The grandparents with the camper (Daniel and Nita Matthias),
• My cousins: Grady, ‘that guy I took down that one time’ (Luke), and London Marie,
• My Auntie Janette and Stinky Uncle Andy (Andrew and Janette Krueger),
• Those two guys, you know, my uncles (Kristopfer Krueger and James Taylor)
• Batman!!
The things I love the most: Playing with my sister, my blue bunny, thrash metal, Legos, my daycare friends, Batman and when they put me to sleep before they access my port
Things I hate: Pants!, dirty stupid cancer, when they access my port, needles, and the monkey nose that smells like cherry farts…I do like the mint monkey nose like at Mayo Radiation and that one guy that helped me build Legos (Randy)
When I die: I am going to be a gorilla and throw poo at Daddy!
Burned or Buried: I want to be burned (like when Thor’s Mommy died) and made into a tree so I can live in it when I’m a gorilla
Big or Small Funeral: Funerals are sad: I want 5 bouncy houses (because I’m 5), Batman, and snow cones
Emilie and Ryan Matthias will honor Garrett’s final wishes by having a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 14th from 5pm – 11pm at 2377 132nd Ct Van Meter, Iowa
Note: Symbolic Asgardian burial ceremony and fireworks will be held just after sunset
A private burial of Garrett’s ashes will be held at a later time once his parents figure out how the hell to get his ashes made into a tree and locate a nature preserve, so his tree resides in a protected area.
Donations can be made directly to the family https://www.gofundme.com/garrett-mathiasmathias-family or in Garrett’s honor to a few of the many non-profits that helped Garrett along the way: The Little Al Foundation (https://www.littlealfoundation.com), The Pink Tractor Foundation (https://www.facebook.com/PinkTractorFoundation) and the University of Iowa Dance Marathon (https://dancemarathon.uiowa.edu)
We are so grateful to the many doctors, nurses, child life specialists, musicians, art therapists, and volunteers that worked tirelessly to cure Garrett of his cancer. The reality for Garrett and so many other children is pediatric cancer is an ugly, nasty beast that leaves a path of destruction. For Garrett and many others before him – cancer kills. Those that are ‘lucky’ enough to survive endure long term debilitating side effects and the constant fear of relapse. We will fight for a cure until no other kids are robbed of their childhood, no other siblings lose their best friends, and no other parents have to bury their babies.
Garrett endured nine months of hell before he lost his battle with cancer. During that time he never lost his sense of humor and loved to tease the doctors and nurses. From whoopy cushions and sneaking clothes pins on their clothes to ‘hazing’ the interns and new staff doctors, he was forever a prankster. Nothing caught people off guard as his response to ‘see ya later alligator’:
See ya later, suckas! - The Great Garrett Underpants
Cedric from Switzerland
07/14/2018
Dear Great Garret and familly. Une grande lecon de force et de courage que tu nous donnes grand garcon. Je suis sur que la ou tu es, tu es dans le plus bel endroit que letre humain puisse imaginer. Tu laisses une empreinte de joie aussi grande que le vide dans ta famille. Mes sinceres condoleances a tes parents et ta famille
Ellen Moran
07/14/2018
So sorry for the loss of such a precious child. When I read about the ashes and the tree I envisioned
a long lived conifer with a Christmas tree shape that could be "fertilized" with his ashes and decorated every year with bat lights. Peace to you all.
Terri
07/14/2018
Your baby boy was alive and real and loved ! I am so very happy for you that you were blessed to have him, hold him, and share a few years with him. God did indeed bless you. This, I'm sure is what you'll hang onto for the rest of your days, well until you meet again. I for one feel privileged that you choose to share your precious boy with me. By allowing your story to be made public, you have blessed many. I can imagine the relief other parents may feel being made aware that it's possible to do things their own way. There is no shame in making the passing of a child their own. Anything is possible ! You appear to be the finest type of parents, the kind that made their childs life about them, and not you. Thank you, now many of us know a bit of captain Garrett underpants !
And love him too !
God Bless !
M.D.Quarterman
07/14/2018
SO SORRY TO READ OF THE LOST OF YOUR DEAR SON. I CAN'T IMAGINE YOUR TOTAL FEELINGS,AS I KNOW THEY ARE LONG. GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU NOW HAVE AN ANGEL IN HEAVEN.
Bryan Smith
07/14/2018
From Longview, Texas. Your son was a blessing too good for this world. Reading that killed me inside but brought joy and idk it was an emotional rollercoaster. I am sad I will never know this boy.
Laura Rosales
07/14/2018
From Castaic, CA.
To the Family of Garrett Matthias.
May God bring you peace and comfort to know that the life of your child has transformative qualities with inspiration to the world.
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:13-15).
God Bless,
Laura
Barbara Dennis
07/14/2018
Your family is in my prayer. You have raised a remarkable little boy. Heaven has gained an Angel.
Camille Cristello
07/14/2018
Dear Garrett: You have been such a wise and wonderful human being. In just five short years, you have made our world a much better place for having had you in it. Whenever I see a tree, I will think of you. Rest In Eternal Peace
Ben Verhaegen
07/14/2018
Hello little man,
I sincerely hope I'll get to meet you when you're a gorilla, because it sure sounds like it must have been awesome to know you as a boy.
And as a tree, you will be rooted in the earth, touching the entire world as you have with your obituary.
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends; I'm more than certain that celebrating his life instead of mourning a loss is the right choice.
Warm and kind thoughts from Belgium
Gilbert Hendree
07/14/2018
It is with great pleasure to say that this was truly a remarkable young man. His courage and dignity, not to mention his wit and humor in the face of this disease is to me, unmatched. I ask that GOD give this entire family the comfort needed to move forward in this trying time, and to know that garrett is still with you, always and forever!!!!
Bruce Wayne
07/14/2018
Dear Mr. Garrett AKA Great Garrett Underpants. I have been following your story for quite sometime now and am writing you to let you know that the batsignal will forever shine bright high and mighty over Gotham City in your honor. You were a superb hero and had much honor and courage. Your commitment to fighting crimes in Gotham will never be forgotten. We will truly miss you Garrett.
Your old pal,
Bruce Wayne.
Travis Adams Irish
07/14/2018
Dear Mr. Underpants,
It is with a humbling sorrow that the world bids you farewell on this day. If we had any sense, we would embrace your message of silliness and abandon our obsession with pursuing profits in the name of bigger egos. I had read that you admire Batman, but I believe that Batman should admire you. As a person who has suffered 14 years with chronic illness, I can empathize with your experiences, but my heart breaks to know that you had them at such a young age. However, you have truly become "Garrett the Great," because you looked death in the face and dropped the microphone at his or her feet. So, after publishing over 2,000 words in 5 novels during my lifetime, I am left without words for the first time. I could speak to the generosity of your spirit, and the way you gave this world so much in your final hours. And, I could acknowledge your courage; that you were a far braver man than I at only five years of age - that you are braver than most men. It would please me to discuss the sheer magic of a child's mind and optimism, and I would pray that the world has the temerity to be as fun as you were during your bitter journey. But, I suppose that the final analysis for all of us - the reason that you capture our hearts - is that we've discovered someone amazing...who was gone before we could perceive his wisdom. Thus, I understand your final words, "See ya later, suckas!" And although you missed out on a lifetime of memories, the world will spend many lifetimes trying to understand your indefatigable spirit. Today, you are a hero to many people who would have given up hope, and I expect that you will be for decades to come. Garrett the Great, generous soul, tireless sufferer, bold traveler, and a fine human being if ever there was one - you are our Batman! And, in closing, all I can say is that we should cherish your words and follow the light of your heart into far superior levels of humanity and happiness. God bless you as much as you blessed this sometimes short-sighted but still beautiful world! Most Sincerely, -Travis Adams Irish.
Andy
07/14/2018
Currently having a bouncy bouncy on a trampoline myself, lad. You're an absolute legend.
Bruce Finger
07/14/2018
For Garrett,
You are a very strong young man.
Sorry we didn't meet this time around.
May our paths cross in the future.
Bruce
Victoria BC Canada
Tammy McKnight
07/14/2018
Rest in Peace Sweet Precious Garret. My condolences and prayers goes out to his family and friends