Dustin Matthews, 40, was reunited with his older brother in heaven on Wednesday, April 23. He was born on Aug. 28,1984, to Doug and Sandra Matthews, in Ogden, Utah. He was greatly admired as the youngest of four children.
Dustin started life strong as a happy, healthy toddler. At the age of 2, he suffered a stroke to his spinal cord which left him as a quadriplegic.
Over the next 38 years, Dustin showed all what it meant to be resilient. Even through many surgeries, hospitalizations and illness, he was a very happy person, and he loved to tease his nieces, nephews and closest friends — especially Alisha Moore, Jen Martin and Tiffany Windley
Dustin graduated from Evanston High School in 2003. He studied online through the University of Wyoming and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/political sciences in 2007. In 2009, Dustin earned a master’s degree from Bellevue University Management in computer information systems with an emphasis on computer security.
In his spare time, Dustin loved to hunt and always looked forward to hunting season. Ken Vernon (Grandpa) spent countless hours taking Dustin along on numerous hunting and trapping trips. Needless to say, Dustin was hooked.
With the help of his brother, Jeremy, a custom gun mount was fabricated to attach a gun to Dustin’s wheelchair. With the use of a joystick and a sip and puff tube, Dustin was able to operate his rifle independently on his hunts. He was so successful at hunting, he had the taxidermist on speed dial.
His family home now showcases his trophy moose, two elk and a buffalo. Dustin was a true blue BYU fan, holding football season tickets. He enjoyed his yearly trip to the NFR in Las Vegas, as well as watching his Red Devils.
Dustin was a fierce advocate for those with disabilities in the community, striving to make Evanston a more accessible place for all.
He was very proud to be a member of the Evanston Cowboy Days Committee — he took pride in his work as president!
Most of all, Dustin loved his nieces and nephews and claimed them as his own. Morgan, Taylor, Lexi, Jay, Hudson, Jarrett, Lincoln and Layton were his pride and joy. He was fiercely proud of each of them.
Dustin is survived by his parents, Doug and Sandra Matthews of Evanston; Mindi and Brad Tollefson of Evanston; Danielle (Clint) Stevenson of Deer Lodge, Montana, and Kenna (Jay) Hill of Evanston.
He is preceded in death by grandparents, Keith and Ilene Matthews, and Ken and Shana Vernon; and his older brother, Jeremy Matthews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, at the Elm Street LDS Church. Friends and family may attend a viewing on Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m., and one hour prior to the Thursday service.
The family would like to thank Evanston Regional Hospital, Corrie Carver, Life-Flight crew and everyone at McKay Dee Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Evanston Cowboy Days, P.O. Box 458, Evanston, WY 82930. Please note: “In Memory of Dustin Matthews.”
Interment will be at the Evanston City Cemetery under the direction of Ball Family Chapel of Kemmerer.
