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
The Rappleye Family
07/13/2018
I can only imagine your loss after seeing Garrett's beautiful spirit above.
If my son were a few years younger while he was battling his cancer he may have written something similar.
I don't know why some lose their children while some of us do not. Just know that we are all still here together, holding your hand, building you up, & wiping your tears.
- In love
Paige, Brian, Cecelia, Ryan, & Jacob
Henry Vinson, MS, JD
07/13/2018
I'm sorry to hear about Garrett. My heartfelt condolences to the Matthias family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Henry Vinson
K Hamilton
07/13/2018
Such wonderful intensity & imagination -- be a tree _and_ a gorilla in it -- blew my mind open, made me resolve to live more fervently myself. Thank you Garrett's parents for raising such a sparkling mind. The best parts of these 5 years are a lasting golden thread in the fabric of your lives.
Didi Sky Reyes
07/13/2018
To Garrett, his mom, dad, sister & all those who loved & adored him.
I just learned of Garrett for the first time tonight & am so torn to also find out, you lost this precious little boy who from what I read & understood, was a tremendous sweetheart & great fighter. He never let his illness take his sweet sense of humor away. Those that got to see that will always have something precious to remember Garrett by. I wish Id gotten to meet the little darling.
I love what he asked for his parents to do with his ashes. Someone will figure out a way to turn it into a tree for him to live in as a gorilla.
Garrett was a strong, loving & fun little guy. Coming back as a gorilla is the best thing he couldve picked. Theyre tough & strong too. Just like Garrett was & always will be.
May God Bless Garrett, his family & all those who knew & loved him. Hes with God now. Garrett is now one of Gods newest little angels in Heaven. He will see you again one day. For now, draw strength from all the love he gave so many, beginning with his beautiful family. He wants you to stay strong for him & for everyone else. He loves you still & always will.
God Bless you, The Great Garrett Underpants. May you rest in peace by the Lords side, forever more. Amen.
Dorothy Johnson
07/13/2018
From DOROTHYJOHSON MAY GOD'S LOVE AND PEACE ENVELOPE YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS. HE MUST HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL LITTLE BOY. GOD bless you and your family
Patty Preston
07/13/2018
Like a firecracker, he lit up the skies. He was loved and with an amazing family he found found joy in every day through the good and the bad. Great Garrett Underpants truly was a hero. He will inspire stories and just maybe inspire a future cure to the cancer that brings so much heartbreak. That's where we should be focused. Thank you for the reminder! Love to all, Patty
Deborah
07/13/2018
The Great Garrett Underpants sounds like a lovely, mischievous, firecracker of a boy! Just reading his story filled me with absolute joy and heartbreaking sorrow. I am sincerely sorry for your loss and offer prayers for comfort and support for your family, especially Delcina-Delphina who seems like a great sister. Please know we'll all be thinking of you during tomorrow's service and this difficult time. With love, Deborah
Debbie
07/13/2018
So very sad for your loss. He was a very special boy with personality and zest for life way beyond his 5 short years. My heart goes out to all of you and a great reminder for the rest of us to stop fretting the little stuff and enjoy every precious moment with our kids and loved ones.
Ellen Wilson
07/13/2018
Later, Great Garrett Underpants. To your loving family, who miss you so much:You have honored your son as he deserved, as a human with great spirit and humor who grew up and left you way too soon. Your love for this boy (and his tree) will survive. I can't imagine how difficult this is, but you've done right by him, by treating him as a sentient being. When I was a child I spent months hospitalized for chronic illness alongside children like your son and we talked about everything to the best of our understanding, which was far deeper than most adults suspected. One thing we often joked about, because as you know humor is huge on pediatrics wards, was adults pretending we didn't know anything, though they often talked in the rooms with us. Treating him the way you did was a great gift. He appreciated it, I assure you.
Sandi Hemming
07/13/2018
I came upon Rhea some time last year. Unfortunately, she had already passed. But the gift of being loved to others was still there. Im interested in a printout or something to frame her as I would a family member. One question remains, is Rhea a girl of a boy?
Lee family
07/13/2018
More sorry for the loss of this young life of someone I never met,yet feel like I knew all my life. The only upside to this is that heaven now has a kickass angel. My family and I will pray for him and the rest of your entire family because Im positive that you feel broken right now.Im hopeful that with time you can heal and I am certain your little man would want you to be happy, so that is what my family I will pray for you to become again soon, and for the soul of your incredible son to live on in all the trees and all the gorillas in the world. Best of everything to all of you and never be afraid to lean on those around you and those that your touched in his short life. His pain has ended, although yours will continue I know youll cone out of this stronger and better because you had underpants in your life. Be strong,be happy, and love life. Also, I hope your little girl is doing ok, this is devastating for her but with your love and support she too will be stronger and happier. Love,prayers, and wishes of everything you want in life. The lee family
Massachusetts
Jennifer Buczko
07/13/2018
Love, prayers and support to your entire family. I know the pain of losing someone you love to cancer, let alone too soon. You were, and are blessed with a special angel who is watching over you sans pants.
Ron S.
07/13/2018
I'm sorry for your loss. I don't know you guys and never got to meet your little guy, but I know that the world is a better place because of the short time that he was with us here. What a cool kid!
Terrie Dodd
07/13/2018
I cried and I smiled reading about your sweet little boy. What a real life super hero! While I didnt know your family, I offer my condolences and hope you are feeling the strength of prayers from people who care about you. Your family is an example of what truly unconditional love is. God bless you as you honor Garretts wishes. Know that he has blessed this world by his presence.
Liv V. (Canada)
07/13/2018
I never had the privilege of meeting your son, but his obituary was profound, moving, and above all. incredibly unique. My heart goes out to everyone who knew him.