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
Larissa Licon
07/17/2018
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your son lived more life in his short years, than some do in a lifetime. I read his story online. What an amazing child! His spirit just popped off the page! May he be having fun in Heaven, until he sees his family again. God bless you all
Ricardo Rivera
07/17/2018
Wow, such courage and soul in this young man. I hope you get to become your Gorilla.....when my journey is over from my Lupus I hope to become a dog so I can play and run and be happy again. You are an awesome inspiration.
LH
07/17/2018
You keep spreading fun and joy, The Great Garrett Underpants!
Thank you from Sweden.
Playing the "King Kong Song" with ABBA for you and your family.
Acecia
07/17/2018
I am so very sorry for such a loss. It sounds like your boy was an amazing soul. I hope you are able to find a way to plant him into a tree that grows very tall and strong. I love that idea. My heart aches for you as I am sitting here in tears over a boy I have never met. May God bless you and your family and May your sweet little baby boy rest in peace. Sending hugs to all of you. Modena, NY
JoAnn L Rhoades
07/17/2018
I saw your son's story on CNN I fell in love with such a fine young man. He endured so much at such a young age, yet had such an old soul. My deepest condolences to your family...he is looking down and will keep you all safe under his wings. He has taught the world what the face of bravery looks like. May the memory of him keep you all strong. Thank you for sharing your agonizing story.
Ceris Feakes
07/17/2018
I really can't find the words to describe the effect Garrett's story (and his self penned obituary) has had on me. I am sitting here in tears for the loss of such an amazing child, and it brought back how close I came to losing my son Travis to cancer when he was 4. My heart goes out to you all and thank you for sharing his and your story. May Garrett's tree grow tall and strong.
Femi Okeke
07/17/2018
Such a brave soul fierce in his world. May his Soul rest in the bossom of our Lord Jesus and bring peace and comfort to your parents. Love you Alligator !
Love from the Okeke's..
Mark Whitaker
07/17/2018
Tears of sorrow for your loss and joy for the fun words Garrett left. Love from the UK x
Nick Kelly
07/17/2018
I saw the story of your wonderful brave boy on the bbc website and just had to tell you what an incredibly brave, fantastic little boy you raised. His story has touched so many and i hope this brings some comfort to you. Thank you for sharing.
Aoibh
07/17/2018
Dear Mr and Mrs Matthias, my deepest sympathies. Garrett's' story has touched many hearts, his memory will stay with us all forever.
Jane
07/17/2018
Dear Mr and Mrs Matthias,
There really are now words for a loss like yours. My heart goes out to you.
I read about turning the ashes into a tree and remembered a website I visited recently that sells an intermediate that basically transforms human ashes into a nutrient for trees.
the website is called letyourlovegrow.com
Maybe that will help.
A big hug to you both from Italy.
Jane Eastwood
Fatima Batista
07/17/2018
I read the news about your son in a portuguese newspaper.
What a wonderful and brave son.
My sincerest condolences to all who loved Garrett.
Fatima from Portugal
Sonia from Malaysia
07/17/2018
I read about your son on the BBC. My sincere condolences to your family. He sounds like such a wonderful and courageous boy. And you are amazing parents for what you have done for him. I pray that he is in a better place. Hugs to Garrett. And hugs to you from across the ocean, Sonia.
Mike from London
07/17/2018
I've just read Garret's words in my car at work. I have been a doctor in Intensive Care Medicine and have seen my fair share of tragedy. I thought that I had sort of built up an immunity to all the death and sadness of the terminally ill. I thought that I was battle hardened, but I am crying. What a great guy Garret is. Mike x
Julia S.
07/17/2018
I read Garrett's words in every newspaper I could find them. I wept over every picture of his beautiful, beautiful face that you shared. His valor and his joy for life are beyond belief. I do hope so much that Garrett is waiting to reunite with you one day, in the life beyond this life. You are an awesome family. My thoughts and prayers are with your daughter and your family. From Sofia, Bulgaria.