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
Jocelyne Beaudry
07/18/2018
Ill so sorry for your lost, my prayers is with you. My sincere condolence to entire family. Hope you find a good tree to hold this big and lovely gorilla.
Jacques
07/18/2018
Sincere condolences from France; as a father of two, I could barely imagine what you've been trough.
But something told me Garrett wouldn't have liked I stay stucked on a sad note, then I wanna point out that "See you laters, suckas !" is just what I will try to remember to say as last words when my time will come.
With love. And gorillas.
Hoosier Pam
07/17/2018
Holy Underpants, Batman! Lights & laurels & love guide you to your Heavenly Father's arms & bathe your family in wonderful memories. Blessed be.
Buzzy
07/18/2018
I just read Garrett's obit in the New York Times and wanted to say hello to his family. He will be an interesting gorilla. Too happy, too sad. Peace and love to family.
Karen T
07/17/2018
Thank you for sharing your dear boy with us! Garret, you have a wonderful sense of humor, and I'm glad we were able to share this Earth with you, even if it was too short. Bouncy castles should be required at all Life Celebrations. All my love from Michigan!
Michele
07/17/2018
So sorry to read about your little boy. I admire his spunk in his fight and sorry that he lost it. He sounded quite the character and god has an extra little cheeky monkey to keep an eye on now. God bless and peace to you all from Canada xx
Angie
07/17/2018
I read about your little boy recently. What an amazing and brave soul! So much courage and so much joy. His story touched my heart in a very special way. I dont know if you figured out already how to grow a tree from his ashes but you may want to check THE LIVING URN.
May your family find comfort and peace. Love from Virginia.
Colin
07/17/2018
A message from my 7 year old daughter.
"to the great garret underpants, may they stink forever!" from me, sincerest condolences, we'll be having a water fight here to celebrate him. It'll be big, I promise!
Teena from Central Oregon
07/17/2018
Your loss is unimaginable, but having that spirited and beautiful soul in your family and in your arms for 5 years is a blessing from God.
Wishing you relief from pain and
wonderful memories to cherish
forever. God bless your family.
Patty from California
07/17/2018
What an amazing family to have had such a special little boy. His 5 years were filled with a life time of fun, sadness and strength. My heart goes out to you all with such a great loss. Garrett is in heaven with all the other wonderful people who have left us. I asked my mom to help him along. God Bless you all.
Olaug
07/17/2018
What a beatiful boy. Rest in peace and God bless. From Norway.
Frank Niebuhr
07/17/2018
I have read the story of your son in the newspapers here in Denmark.
What an amasing last message. I feel truely touched reading this, what a strong mind.
Blessings and thoughts from Denmark.
Claudia Pinto
07/17/2018
Dear, Mr and Mrs Matthias, I read the news about your little boy in a brazilian newspaper, I hope your family find peace. What amazing little guy Garrett is! Thanks for sharing this... Go get Mr Underpants!! With love!
Ronald Coppage
07/17/2018
Courage and strength in such a small package. Thanks for such a wonderful message. God bless Garrett and my prayers to the Matthias family.
Edna from Houston, Texas
07/17/2018
From such a young, small and innocent child may we all learn the way to live our lives with Courage, Strength and Love.
Deepest Sympathy for your loss and may God's Peace be upon Garrett's Family and Friends.