Matthew Abraham Zarate

Matthew Abraham Zarate was born May 2, 1975, and passed away June 3, 2026, at the age of 51. A resident of Glendale, Arizona, Matthew leaves behind a life remembered for its warmth, its laughter, and the kind of steady care that showed up in the everyday moments—often with a perfectly timed bit of snark.

To those who knew him best, Matthew was a devoted partner and father who seemed to run on equal parts love and preparation. He was always making sure everything was ready for his family, attentive to the needs of his wife, Kristyna, and their children, Malachi and Lillian. His gentleness lived in the routines that mattered—especially the bedtime prayers he shared with Lillian—quiet, faithful moments that said more than any speech ever could.

Matthew’s humor was its own household language: sarcastic, snarky, and delivered with the confident air of someone who would like to pretend he was always right—strictly for the joy of it. He passed that signature snark along to Malachi and Lillian, right alongside his big heart. Beneath the jokes was a compassionate “teddy bear” devotion, the kind that made people feel safe, seen, and thoroughly loved.

He brought people together in ways that felt effortless and unforgettable. Game night wasn’t just an activity; it was a tradition he championed with enthusiasm. He was known for his good cooking, and after a long day of renaissance recreation—battling friends on the field—he welcomed them in with delicious barbeque, easy laughter, and stories collected over the year. He met Kristyna at one of those events, and later proposed to her at one too, weaving romance right into the pageantry of the life he loved.

At home, Matthew made magic feel real through DnD sessions with his family—turning ordinary evenings into adventures, and giving his loved ones a place where imagination, belonging, and joy could all sit at the same table. If anyone ever wondered how a “Sasquatch” could also be so gentle, so devoted, and so tenderhearted, Matthew was the answer: big presence, bigger love.

Matthew is survived by his wife, Kristyna, and his children, Malachi and Lillian.

“I will love you to the moon and back, my infinity, & beyond.”