There’s no pain like losing a child to a devastating illness. It’s a heartbreaking experience no parent ever wants to endure, but for some, it’s a painful reality they must confront.
For Ryan and Emilie Matthias, it’s a loss they faced together when they lost their son Garrett to cancer. The impact of that tragedy has shaped their family’s life forever.
Despite receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis at just 5 years old, Garrett always managed to find joy and laughter, focusing on the bright side of life. Even at such a young age, he showed incredible resilience, enduring 9 months of grueling cancer treatments. It wasn’t just his family who knew about his infectious sense of humor—his doctors and nurses also couldn’t help but laugh along with him, as Garrett kept them smiling throughout his journey.
Garrett even wrote his own joyful obituary, sharing stories about his favorite people and things with his family. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and everyone who knew him felt fortunate to have experienced the charm of such a special boy.
“Those are his exact words,” Garrett’s father, Ryan Matthias, told CNN affiliate WHO. “When I read it, I couldn’t help but think… wow. It’s like Garrett’s right here, chatting with me.”
Garrett was proud to say he was a Bulldog!
- His favorite colors? Blue, green, red, and black.
- His superheroes? Batman, Iron Man, Thor, Cyborg, and the Hulk.
- Garrett’s dream? To become a professional boxer.
Garrett never forgot anyone, so he made sure to tell his family how much they meant to him. He listed his top favorites as his mom, dad, and sister Delphina. He also gave a special shout-out to his “new house” grandparents, Fredric and Cheryl, and his “camper” grandparents, Daniel and Nita.
With love and care, Garrett named all his friends, family, and relatives as his favorite people. What brought him the most joy? Playing with his sister Delphina and his blue bunny. He was a fan of thrash metal and loved all his friends at daycare. But above all, he was passionate about Batman.
In July 2018, Garrett’s loving parents fulfilled his final wishes with a ceremony to celebrate his joyful spirit in their small hometown of Van Meter, Iowa. Garrett had requested an Asgardian-themed burial ceremony, inspired by Marvel Comics.
As the sun set, the family set off fireworks and held a private ceremony afterward. Emilie and Ryan, Garrett’s parents, are still figuring out how to incorporate his ashes into a tree. Their plan is to plant a memorial tree in a nature preserve, ensuring it’s protected, just as Garrett had hoped.
The family kindly asks that anyone wishing to support them consider donating to the non-profit organizations that helped them during their difficult journey. Their focus is on The Pink Tractor Foundation, the University of Iowa Dance Marathon, and the Little Al Foundation, which assists families facing the challenges of a sick child.
