Matthew Dean McClure

Matthew had a beautiful mind and was reading and comprehending 12th grade novels by the 2nd grade.

By 3rd grade, Matthew found his voice and began to recognize the cons of institution in general. He

always rooted for the underdog. His 3rd grade teacher remembered how Matthew once helped a fellow

student in dire need. You see, the other child was not popular with the other classmates and tripped in

the cafeteria with a full tray of lunch. As the cafeteria filled with laughter, Matthew chose to get up and

clean up the mess for the humiliated child, he proceeded to go get him a fresh tray, and then they ate

lunch together and became friends. His Mother was also approached by the school librarian that year. She said that Matthew was the only child in the entire school "that speaks to me politely and gently sets his books on the counter, always saying please, thank you, and yes ma’am. All the other children just slam their books on the counter and don’t say a word".

As a child, Matthew loved to go next door to Granny’s, fishing and playing in the woods with his G-pa,

playing in his Nana’s sewing room, and rocking out to the Beatles with his Granny Robin. Before

Matthew was 10 years old, one of his favorite hobbies was catching critters (snakes, lizards, etc.) to

study for a bit and then release. He preferred watching live surgeries and scientific documentaries on TV

over cartoons. Not long ago, Matthew said one of his favorite childhood memories was of him, his

father, and his mother playing Crash Bandicoot.

Matthew blessed his family at 12:15 PM, February 20, 1998 weighing 8 lb 6 oz and 22 inches long. He came into and left this world full of optimism and as a ray of light. He grew to become a loving and free-spirited man. The modern society of this world did not impress Matthew as his humble heart always sought and found the good in everyone. Matthew was not created for this world. As a young teenager, Matthew began speaking of leaving the grid far behind him one day and heading off to the jungles of Costa Rica. Matthew had a hypnotizing voice and played the guitar beautifully. He always loved music from all decades and genres. He fell in love with not only religion, but God and Jesus Christ. He was always excited to share that love and speak in depth to those who wanted to listen.

Matthew leaves behind his mother, Elizabeth Ann Minges and her husband David Lloyd Carmon; his father Brian Matthew McClure; his beloved sister, Ruby Elizabeth McClure; his grandparents, Barney McClure, Wendy McClure, Robin Cozzolino, and Frank Cozzolino; his aunts and uncles, Faye Harrell, Kelly Hardeman and her husband Tony Hardeman, Gregory McClure and his wife Allison McClure, Vernon Bullock, Christopher Hodges and his wife Ashlie Gatewood; and his cousins, Addie Edwards and her husband Eli Edwards, Julia Downing, Alden McClure, Cory Johnson, Lemuel McClure, Damien Hodges, and Arya Hodges.

There are no words to express the devastation of every family member and friend as Matthew was

taken from them so young and suddenly; however, they know with every fiber of their being that Matthew

has gone to be with his lord and savior. In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in

honor of Matthew to Southeastern Carolina Crossroads, 1086 Susie Sand Hill Road, Elizabethtown, North Carolina, 28337, (910)549-8487, [email protected].

Service information will be announced at a later date for the public.