Matthew was an avid outdoorsman. His love for nature and camping led him on many exciting adventures. But he loved nothing more than being on the water; boating, sailing, and even living on a houseboat down in the Florida Keys. This love of the water started young and he became an excellent swimmer. At age 10, he received an award from the City of Columbia, presented by former movie star Eddie Albert, for saving a child from drowning at the Hickman Pool. He often would swim to work and dive for his dinner with his shadow, beloved dog, traveling companion, and best pal, Pigeon. After high school, Matt joined the Marine Corps where he achieved the status of an expert marksman. These skills aided him in his love of hunting and target shooting. He was also an active member of Boy Scout Troop 701 and Parkade Baptist Church.
Matt was good with his hands and with his mind. He enjoyed construction and could build or repair just about anything. He was a fanatical reader that was always buried in a book and his knowledge of all things literary was extremely impressive. You would find yourself wrapped up in his storytelling, always hanging on every word. His mind was amazing. Wit and humor came second nature to him and he always had a way of making you smile when you were sad. His jokes were always silly and his heart was good. With the heart of a warrior and the soul of a poet, he was exactly the right mix of soft and solid and he never met a stranger.
Matt spent much of his time in the western United States. He lived and worked at Monument Valley Navajo Reservation training horses, taught CPR and First Aid with the American Red Cross, volunteered to fight fires in the Colorado mountains, and was a licensed EMT. Through all of this, he still fostered his love for music and blues while playing his harmonica.
Matthew is preceded in death by his parents, Jackie Gail White and Carl Bennett Smith; grandparents, Jim Carl Smith, Vera G. Smith, Jack L. Pettit, and Neila T. Pettit; and his best pal, Pigeon.
He is survived by his sister, Amber L. Roberts (Scott); niece and nephew, Madelyn and Dalton Roberts; sister, Lisa (Bill); brothers, Ben and Ian Smith; stepmother, Ann Beasley; aunt, Pam Bruenjes (Jim); uncle Ted Pettit (Mieko); as well as many cousins, and long time friends.
Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia MO with no services at this time. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Matt's memory to Columbia Second Chance, P.O. Box 10186 Columbia, Missouri 65205.
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