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
BJ
07/12/2018
Grow tall and strong Great Garrett Underpants tree.
See ya later, sucka's
Sam
07/12/2018
www.thelivingurn.com
now you can turn him into a tree!
Wendell
07/12/2018
Im so sorry for your loss. There is nothing I can say that could possibly make it less painful. I would like to say what an inspirational and exceptional person Garret was. I hope we can all take a lesson from his sense of humor, love and fearlessness against an unrelenting adversary. I know I will. My prayers are with you.
Nikita
07/12/2018
Like many here, I came across your son's obituary in an article online. While no one can ever imagine what your family has endured, know that your son left a lasting impression on so many of us, encouraging each of us to enjoy the little things in life and to remain positive even in bad times. Sending many prayers and thoughts to you and your family.
Christine
07/12/2018
I'm so very sorry for your incredible loss. Garrett IS clearly a special little boy. Keeping you and your whole family in my prayers.
To fulfill Garrett's wish, visit www.thelivingurn.com.
Julie
07/12/2018
Im so sorry for your loss. I hope this helps...
thelivingurn.com
Its a site that allows you fulfill Garretts wishes.
May Garretts tree be the biggest and strongest. God Bless you all.
Lisa Moore
07/12/2018
Hello Mr. and Mrs. Matthias I came across your article while at work browsing the internet and I must say it was beautiful! To know that you honored your baby's wishes was the most unselfish thing I have seen in a long time. I am sorry that you lost your angel to such a horrible illness but it brought tears to my eyes reading that obituary. I pray everyone who reads about Garrett (if they can ever dry their tears) will forever carry him in their hearts and minds. God bless you and your family!
Krissy
07/12/2018
I saw a story about your son on WHO and I want you to know that his story touched my heart in many ways. Cancer isn't what you see in those commercials it is ugly and awful. I to have a 5 year old who loves Batman and can only imagine the pain your family is feeling right now. My heart aches for you! Cancer is something that kids should never have to endure. I will be praying for your family! May God give you strength and comfort!
Donna
07/12/2018
Garrett's story was so touching and there are no words to express how it touched my heart. God bless you and your family and may Garrett find peace by God's side in heaven.
Glynis (Philadelphia, PA)
07/12/2018
Your son's inspirational story has touched my heart so much. Life is something that should be celebrated and Garrett showed us (even those of us that did not know him) how to do that. Thank you for sharing your reality so that it may help to change or inspire some other family or child. I pray that God will continue to bless your life, hearts and family.
Marion
07/12/2018
What a great obituary. I am so sorry to hear about your son's cancer and you are correct, the wonderful smiling faces of kids in ads asking for donations are not the real picture. No kid should endure what your son had to. I hope his ashes grow into a wonderful tree and wherever he is right now he will enjoy the party.
Teresa
07/12/2018
What an incrediably heart warming story. Cancer does sucks!! May Garrett's tree bring many other kids happiness, shade and be the coolest on the lot!! Thinking of you with a heavy heart as your journey continues. May God take care of him and let you know that you have a true guardian angel amongst you that is now bringing great joys to other as an angel. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family from your friends in Wisconsin!
Amber
07/12/2018
Hello I just read your sons story from the news app and it just breaks my heart, Im sending love, prayer and nothing but positive vibes to your family. May god bless you during these hard time. Always Amber
Misty Knack
07/12/2018
I read your story from my news feed and Garrett would love what you wrote and how you will celebrate him using his wishes. I did see that someone mentioned this, but you can go to www.thelivingurn.com. It allows you to use the ashes to grow a tree. His tree will be the spunkiest tree in the forest. Thank you for sharing and our hearts are with you during this difficult time.
Shawntae Folami
07/12/2018
I read Garrets story on my news app and it touched my heart and tears. I am so sorry for your loss. No parent should have to bury their child. I am reaching out not only to offer my condolences but to tell you about the whole ashes into a tree thing. There is a company called the living urn and it actually uses the ashes to give life and nutrients to a seed that then turns into a tree. I thought I would let yall know so that you can honor his wishes. God bless