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
Cecilia Bolton
07/13/2018
My condolences to the Garrett Family. You don't know me nor have I ever met you. I went through cancer treatments last year. I will say that it was pure misery. The one thing that did cause me to cry is the though of a child having to go through the treatments. My prayers are with you. Much love.
Geoff Kirwan
07/13/2018
Dear Garrett: I wish my son and you could have met,, you'd become fast friends over lego, batman and thor. What a brave boy you are, and I can only imagine how much your family will miss you. God speed little man.
Geoff Kirwan, Toronto Canada
Colleen and Bastiaan Boll
07/13/2018
God bless you Garrett and your incredible family. Our faith consoles us right now as We know you are in Great hands. We pray for the family, the grace of peace and strength.
Mebius
07/13/2018
Dear Garett,
Being a father, your story, that made it to European newspapers, particularly touched me.
Tomorrow we celebrate my son Lucas his birthday, he turns 5 today, on Friday the 13th. the lucky bugger..
I will take a moment to tell him and his friends over here in France, about you. Life's not for granted and, I'll make sure he will never look at gorillas the same way again...
Sincere condolences to your family, can't imagine what they're going through...
Esmiralda
07/13/2018
His final wishes even get the newspapers in the Netherlands. After reading this everything else seems to be so relative. What a brave Hero is this boy! I hope you wil be became a big gorilla and you will enjoy jumping around in threes!
To the family, i'LL whish you all the strenght in the world! (I hope jou understand my english)
Jackie Spraul
07/13/2018
Garrett, you are an outstanding person; your family has been so fortunate to have you with them for whatever length of time you could be here. "Could be here" are not the right words, though, as you will ALWAYS be here. For the moment, rest well and enjoy the absence of pain. And may Your Tree be fine and tall. Much love to you and your family.
Mary Kutz
07/13/2018
Praying for peace and understanding. God loves you, ...your baby is in good hands with Jesus. You will see him again.
Kevin and Susan Darnell
07/13/2018
Though we never had the pleasure to know you or Garrett, the story of his beautiful spirit touched us deeply. We wish you peace, and hope you are uplifted in knowing that his soul now lives on in the many thousands of people he has touched. God Bless.
Gert-Jan
07/13/2018
Dear family,
My condolences for all of you. Im thankfull for the time he had as a superhero! What a great letter he has written. I hope he will make it as a tree. All the strength im sending to you as a family.
Darrell & Claire & Stone
07/13/2018
Garrett (aka "The Great Garrett Underpants"). YOU are one very special lad whom God wishes to be home, with Him. We wish you Godspeed, young sir. Your Batman-brave zest, your gorilla-giant joie de vivre, and your "blue and red and black and green" brightly-lit spirit will serve you well as you trailblaze through eternity. Garrett, we'll look forward to seeing you down the road: "later alligator" .. all love..!!
Jacqueline Marsh
07/13/2018
Although I didn't know The Great Garrett Underpants except through his and your words what a blessing this little one was to be here in life in your family! So sorry for your loss,indeed. He is a beautiful and sweet little soul who lives on in Paradise. Sending reiki energies for you, his amazing family, who gave him the best life here on Earth! May the Divine Spirit hold you withn arms of love and help you through this most difficult time of grief.
J.Rosales
07/13/2018
I read your sons story in the news, Im sorry for your loss, Im hugging my kids a little tighter today. When i read Garret's requests I immediately thought "I know how he can be a tree!" They sell an urn called living urns, you can pick what kind of tree he will be, and they seem to be quite affordable. Please forgive me if this is something you already knew, but i just wanted to be sure you had every oppertunity to make that come true.
Nick Savatovic / Bonn, Germany
07/13/2018
Dear Emilie and Ryan:
My deepest condolences to you. Having lost my elderly mother just a few weeks ago, I know only a fraction of the pain you must be suffering by losing your sweet boy. Garrett's happy soul has impacted ALL of us, especially me who read his touching obituary and bawled throughout it. I'm sending healing your way as you begin this painful journey. Big Hug from Bonn, Germany. Uncle Nick
Debra Streeter
07/13/2018
My condolences to the Family. I came across your article about your son's battle with cancer. What an awesome little boy, he touched so many people in his 5 years! What a beautiful Soul!
Liz Krewson-Ross
07/13/2018
I'm incredibly sorry for your loss.
We are all sent to this Earth for a reason. Your son brought light, goodness, and silliness into a world that desperately needed it.
My deepest condolences.