Matthew Benjamin Parham

Matthew was born on September 11th, 1962, to Frances (Martinez) Carpenter and Thomas Parham in Durango, Colorado. He was one of 7 children. Matthew spent his teenage years in Vandalia, Illinois where he attended high school and played on the football team. During the summer months, he worked at the community pool as a lifeguard.

In 1985, Matthew moved to Cedaredge, Colorado to work for his parents in their family business, The Apple Orchard Restaurant. Shortly after moving there, he met his soon-to-be wife, Mary (Ahern) Parham. Matthew and Mary went on to marry in 1989 and have 3 wonderful boys: Zachary, Kaagen and Jared Parham.

Matthew was a talented chef and worked in multiple well-known restaurants in the valley. He also co-owned a small family restaurant in Cedaredge, Colorado for a brief time. In his free moments, Matthew enjoyed riding his motorcycle, exploring new sites as well as riding with his family as the boys were growing up. He loved all things nature, especially camping with family on the Grand Mesa and sitting around the fire playing his guitar. Matthew was an avid golfer and loved playing with friends and his son Jared. Matthew was a beautiful person with a laugh that would fill the room. He had the biggest heart for Jesus and even though he will be missed terribly, we know he is home.

Matthew was predeceased by his brother Timothy, mother Frances and father Thomas. He is survived by his beloved family Mary, Zachary, Kaagen and Jared Parham. His siblings Tommy Parham (wife Tia), Cindy (Parham) Dinwiddie (husband Jamie), Patrick Parham (wife Jeanette), Theresa (Parham) Peterson (husband Keith) and David Parham (wife Tawnya) along with many nieces and nephews whom all meant so much to him.

Services will be held at Fellowship Church here in Grand Junction on April 26th at 1:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Parham family.