Matthew Frome Richards was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 13th, 1970 to IvaLu Frome and Donald Keith Richards. Matt was the adored baby brother and youngest of five children. Matt grew up in the Mt. Olympus Hills area, attended Eastwood Elementary, Churchill Junior High and Skyline High School, graduating in 1988. Matt met many life long friends while growing up, especially those who he played little league football and high school football with. Matt was an amazing center for the Skyline High School team where he gained his perfect nickname “Bubba” from his teammates and Coaches. Matt went on to be a devoted little league football coach and continues many friendships with the boys he helped coach. One of his favorite expressions was “I want to take boys and help them be men not just football players”. Matt also, was a life long supporter of Skyline football, enjoying many nephews and his own son going through the football program.
It was at Skyline that Matt met his soul mate, a beautiful cheerleader by the name of DeEtte Petersen. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 13th 1991. Matt and DeEtte added Skyler Matthew Richards to their family on August 21st 1995. Next to DeEtte, Skyler was his very best friend. Father and son enjoyed football, cars and trucks. Matt was so proud of Skyler and often commented to family and friends how lucky he was to have an incredible, smart and hard working son. Matt’s father was a car dealer and from a very early age he became enchanted with automobiles. His favorite pastime was watching Barrett-Jackson Auctions as one of its avid enthusiasts, introducing his own son Skyler to a love for muscle cars, classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and pretty much anything with wheels and a motor. Matt’s career started as a screen printer for Rykel Sports/Soccer Parrot where he worked with his Brother-in-law Brad and Sister Marianne to advance their company.
From there Matt moved to Discover Services and finally found his true calling selling heavy duty trucks. Matt worked for Great Basin Truck Sales and then moved to Kenworth Sales where he enjoyed working with many great co-workers and the finest customers any salesman could hope for. Matt truly loved his customers and strived to serve them with honesty and integrity. Matt eventually started his own business in 2017, hoping to follow in his Fathers footsteps but due to health issues Matt went into early retirement. One of Matt’s major accomplishments was locating an original 1978 Lincoln that had the emblem on it from his Fathers dealership. Locating this car and persuading the original owners to part with it was Matts finest sales moment. The title signed by not only his Dad but his brother Tom and Brother in law Brad who all worked together. He enjoyed entering it in car shows. Matt loved all his fur babies and showed a real sensitive side as their “Dad”.
You could often find Matt snuggling with one of his dogs or playing catch or watching them run. There was certainly a very loud and raucous reunion when he arrived in heaven. At one point in Matt’s life he enjoyed owning his own Harley. He took many rides with his wife, Brother-in-law Randy and Sister Lynnda. Their trip to Sturgis was always one of his fondest memories. Matthew idolized his older brothers Tommy and Michael, who also played high school football and excelled at skiing and golf. Matt wanted to be just like them and enjoyed attending all their activities as a child. Matt was adored by his nephews, nieces and their children. Matt enjoyed spending time with DeEtte’s family and the numerous holiday, swimming and birthday parties.
Matt was always the life of the party, he enjoyed laughing, pranking and teasing his many nieces, nephews and now their children as well. Many of these family members acquired endearing nicknames from their Uncle Matt.
Matt is survived by his wife DeEtte and son Skyler. Mother in law Julynne and Father in law Neil Petersen, Sister Marianne Duckworth and husband Brad, Brother Michael Richards and wife Cinda, Sister Lynnda Sanchez and husband Randy, Brother in law Darren Peterson and wife Connie, Brother in law Gregg Petersen and wife Carrie and Sister in law Darcee Rappleye and husband Ed. Matt is also survived by 13 Nephews, 6 Nieces and their spouses and children. He is also survived by his loving dog Pickles and precious original 1978 Lincoln whom he fondly referred to as Lady Blue.
Matt was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Tommy Richards; and sister-in-law, Geri Richards, and numerous fur babies.
The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Intermountain Medical Center for their loving care in Matt’s final days. We would also like to thank all the friends and family that came to visit and give their love to him, we knew he heard you and will always love you for spending time with him in those last moments.
A viewing for Matthew will be held Friday, February 9, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.
