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
Robert Wilson
07/14/2018
I read your story on CNN and am sitting here with tears in my eyes.
I'm having a sno-cone, my first one in years, tonight to honor you brave fun loving son. I can think of no higher honor.
Rest well Garrett Underpants. Rest well.
ANDREW O'FLYNN
07/14/2018
I read about Gareth today in the Guardian and burst into tears. I have a little boy of seven and it is such a tragedy for the family that Gareth died. Reading the obituary it is clear that he was a beautiful and funny person. I am deeply sorry.
kathleen clark
07/14/2018
God bless you little Gareth have a peace full sleep with the angels and your mum and dad could make a hole in a tree and put your ashes in it for your last wish to be a tree. R.i.P
Niso Stannard
07/14/2018
Noone in Heaven will ever be bored from now on, thanks to YOU, Mr Great Garrett Underpants! Go and have fun, beautiful boy! And no, no pooping on Daddy!
PS: May God give you strength, Mum and Dad!
Antoinette Phillips,RN
07/14/2018
The intelligence and spunk your beautiful son has shown has touched many people and myself,a stranger,who has read his young story. My sincere condolences to your family.
Jonas Mas
07/14/2018
Heaven gained another angel...your memory will always live forever. RIP Garrett Michael
MILLZ LUTHULI
07/14/2018
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WHILE READING THE OBITUARY I WAS CRYING AND LAUGHING AT THE SAME TIME. HE SOUNDS LIKE A HAPPY SOLDIER AND A YOUNG MAN I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO MEET AND SIT NEXT TO ON A BUS. GOD BLESS YOU GROW THE BIGGEST TREE THAT IS FOREVER GREEN
Anita Banks
07/14/2018
Dear little super boy,
thank you for coming to the attention of the world with all your messages of hope and joy; for simply being you and for bringing love to your wonderful family for five precious years.
You are and were incredible! So thank you for sharing your wonderful viewpoint on life with us all; your spunk, energy and joy will stay with me and everyone else who hears about you always...ready to resurface at the merest mention of pants, gorillas, and cheeky grins, especially anytime at all that we are close to tall trees...Ducking low will become a new art form for Daddies! And know this, around the world countless prayers for you and your loving family will be said and resonant forever..and all will be well. Go and enjoy your new opportunities young man now you are home,and
God bless you.
From Anita and her family in England
Don McGrath
07/14/2018
Thank you for sharing your story of one of the most incredibly beautiful children this world has seen. I'm sorry for your loss and deeply touched by your boy's wonderful mind and heart. He is an inspiration to us all.
R van der Noord-Borstlap
07/14/2018
Sorry for your loss. May Garrett become a beautiful tree!
When you surch at the internet for: growing tree out of asches, you will probably find a way!
Jennifer - from Corry PA
07/14/2018
What an amazing little person, who must have been the luckiest little guy to arrive in this world and put so much happiness, love, and humor to whoever was near and dear to him. I am so sorry for your loss but you will always have memories and his tree to help you get through all the tough times ahead. The Living Urn is an amazing product for helping Garrett accomplish he wish to be a tree. May love and happiness bring you comfort and peace during this time.
cynthia goble
07/14/2018
Your Garrett is now famous...not only in this world but in the great heaven for children. He will not be resting but playing his favorite games with his new friends free from illness and disease and cancer and hardships. "Be still and know that I am God."
Kris Kosaka
07/14/2018
Garrett's irrepressible humor, his zip and pluck and jazz has touched so many people. Thank you for sharing your son with the world. You've taught me about being a great parent in the face of great tragedy. Thank you.
Montse in Barcelona
07/14/2018
What an amazing little big person and what wise and wonderful parents you are. You were lucky to have him, and he was so lucky to have you too. So brave, you all. I think something has changed in me at a deep level, about the way I regard life. It's all so precious. I will always remember Garrett and his beautiful, beautiful family. May your love and the love of those around you bring you comfort and peace.
Patrick
07/14/2018
Remember him and he will live for ever. Like a big old beautiful oak.
See ya,
Patrick, the Netherlands