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
Trisha
07/13/2018
Your boy was a great big spotlight - it might be dimmed but he will always shine bright in your heart. Thank you for sharing his story and I'm very sorry for your loss.
Trish
07/13/2018
Thank you for sharing your beautiful boy's life and his wonderful outlook on life rather than just sharing his untimely and unfair passing due to pediatric cancer. What a smart, creative and optimistic child. What a beautiful, moving, funny obituary. I'll never be able to see a gorilla fling poo without thinking of Garrett and smiling... :) Thoughts and prayers of peace and comfort to all who knew and loved him.
Joanne Forbes
07/13/2018
Please accept my condolences for your loss of such a special little boy. I trust his story impacts this horrible disease.
Marge, New Jersey
07/13/2018
Thank you for sharing this and I send you all my deepest condolences. The words and spirit of the amazing Garrett Underpants has radiated out to the Universe and that wonderful ripple effect will live on.
Dianna Donaghey Coppolo
07/13/2018
What a beautiful obituary (so colorful!) and tribute to Garrett. My heart goes out to you all. RIP, sweet little boy.
Kara
07/13/2018
Thank you for sharing this small glimpse of the wonderful, funny, amazing boy, The Great Garrett Underpants, who blessed your worlds for a too-short time. My condolences to his family and friends; may you find comfort and solace in the coming days.
Crystal
07/13/2018
THANK YOU for sharing your son's story. He sounds like a brave, brave boy with a wonderful, loving spirit. RIP Garrett Underpants. Godspeed.
Ellen
07/13/2018
Heartfelt condolences to Mommy, Daddy, sister and all those who loved and knew Garrett. Jumping castles and gorillas forever! What a remarkable boy! Thank you for sharing his story.
Don
07/13/2018
Sleep tight King Kong, you are truly and inspiration to all. I hope that one day I can be as brave as you. God Speed. Fly high
Cheryl Cohen
07/13/2018
My deepest condolences to the Matthias Family on the loss of an AMAZING little boy. May he rest in peace.
Chris
07/13/2018
In this time of need my hopes are that you are resting easy young Garrett Underpants. You have touched all those around you and strangers you didn't even know. In the words of the great Batman "Its not who I am underneath but what i do that defines me". Your bravery has forever defined you Garrett and you will be forever remembered...See you in the trees and say hello to heaven...
Kathryn Cole, Colorado Springs
07/13/2018
Dear Garret;
Thank you, mom and dad, for sharing Garrets story and yours. I read what many wrote before me. Your spirit has touched so many around the world. You are an old soul who came to share your love and light.
Have a wonderful celebration of Life tomorrow, with bouncy houses, snow cones and Batman. Enjoy your fireworks from where you are. Your parents will find the best tree for you to be so you can be the biggest silverback to climb it and to protect your family and friends.
God bless you and your family.
Kathryn
Patrick
07/13/2018
My condolences for your terrible loss. Just by reading his obituary Garrett sounds like one special person in a small body. I wish you all the strenght in the world for the coming period. I read in the article on CNN that you are trying to figure out how to honour his wish to grow into a tree. That made me think of this: urnabios.com. It is something I heard of earlier, and I hope it helps you and eases your sadness knowing that he can make this dream come true.
Fred
07/13/2018
An absolutely beautiful tribute.
Jesse Carrasco
07/13/2018
What an amazing and fun little boy. He is truly worthy of an Asgardian burial and would have lifted Mjolnir with ease.