Matthew Edwards

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10/8/1978 – 7/20/24

An obituary for Matt has been incredibly difficult to write. Not because there isn’t anything to say, but because there is so much to say it’s hard to know where to start. There are not enough words to appropriately express and describe who he was as a person, and how much he meant to Ben and I and our families. The joy and laughter he brought to our lives; and now the grief we feel… it simply cannot be articulated.

This obituary will never be able to encapsulate the amazing, kind, thoughtful, loving, compassionate, and strong person that Matt was, but we are giving it our best effort.

Matthew Edwards was born to Darlene and Robert Edwards on October 8, 1978. He was a beautiful, calm baby with an outrageous amount of hair. He was brought home from the hospital by his parents, where he would be introduced to his protective, loyal, and loving older brother, Jeremy Edwards. They were best friends until the end.

I met Matt in high school and immediately loved him. He did not know I existed (despite my best efforts) for several years to come. I would doodle his name on binders and drive by his house. My mom relentlessly teased me about it. But one day in 2002, I was lucky enough that he noticed me and, soon after, we were officially “Matt-and-Amber”. We were the ying to each other’s yang from that point forward.

“...and the universe said I love you, because you are love.”

In 2009, we evolved into “Matt-Amber- and Ben” when we welcomed Benjamin Matthew Edwards to the world. Matt gave Ben his first bath and often spoke fondly of doing so. Matt loved being Ben’s father; it was the thing in life he was most proud of. He was fiercely protective and supportive of his son. He was a wonderfully loving dad. He never missed a meeting or program at Ben’s school. Until he was too sick, he never missed a basketball game, never missed a back-to-school night. He was an amazing father and mentor.

Matt was as loyal and kind as they come. His family and friends meant everything to him. He was always ready for whatever Halloween costume idea I had. Eager for any gathering, BBQ (Traeger of course), or event. He kept his folding chair and cooler in the car, always ready to come on over. Even in our neighborhood, the kids hung off him. If they were outside, he was outside. He would set up a chair and “make sure they were safe”. He also had treats in the fridge and juice boxes in the mini fridge to hand out. He was never Matt but always Uncle Matt. We had back up cameras on our cars, but he still insisted that someone “spot the tot” whenever he backed up. He shopped for school supplies for foster kids at the beginning of each school year, just one very small example of how giving he was. He was a safe space and ally for all of those who were lucky enough to know him.

He was a simple man. He loved the outdoors and camping. Some of his ashes will be spread in the outdoor places that meant the most to him.

He worked hard. He loved hard. It feels incredibly unfair that his time on Earth was cut so short, but we take comfort knowing he truly made the most of the days he had.

On July 20th, after a short battle with colon cancer, Matthew was eased from his pain and welcomed to the forest in the sky by his father Robert Edwards. We imagine them sitting around a campfire catching up. We are certain Bob has enjoyed all the stories Matt shared with him about Ben’s basketball games and we know that each of them will be there in spirit when the next season kicks off. Benjamin your father is, and always will be, very proud of you.

Matt leaves behind a stunned and speechless family, that includes Amber Fairbourn-Edwards (wife) and Benjamin Edwards (son); Darlene Edwards (mother); Jeremy and Jennifer Edwards (Brother); David and Malinda Baker (in Laws); Amie Hamilton (Sister-in-Law). Six nephews: Branden (Kaitlyn), Austen (Holland), Ryen (Tatum), Zach (Isabel), Eddie, Spencer; and nieces: Kenzie (Kyle) and Brooklyn.

Thank you to Andrea and Jared, the two Chris’, Ed, Russ, Shelby and Trevor, Josh and other Matt. The last few months were made easier by your love and support.

Schedule your cancer screenings. Do it for Matt. Skin, breast, colon, reproductive, etc. Talk with your doctor about your risk and do what you can to bring it down.

Matthew, we loved you so much. If we failed to always express it or show it, we never meant to. You were our north star, our moral compass, our best friend. You were the love of my life and the best dad ever. We like you and we love you. Tons tons.

A celebration of life will be held on August 19th from 6-8 at The Chateau located at Larkin Cemetery. The address is 1910 East Dimple Dell Road in Sandy, Utah. The evening will be hosted in a beautiful greenhouse setting and allow everyone to casually catch up and talk about how wonderful Matt was. Please come as you are. No discussing politics.