Brett Mathews Obituary (1971 - 2021)

Brett Justin Mathews, beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away suddenly and accidently on August 24, 2021, in Tooele, Utah. He was born on September 27, 1971, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Terry and Sallie Mathews. He was the third of five sons. Brett grew up on the family farm in Erda, Utah. He raised sheep alongside his brothers in 4H and FFA. He loved farming with his dad and gardening with his mom. He enjoyed camping and horseback riding with his family. Brett was very intelligent and excelled in school. He delivered the valedictorian speech at his graduation ceremony for the Tooele High School class of 1990. Brett went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Statistics degree at Utah State University. Brett was enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps while at USU. Upon graduation, Brett was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He was trained at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and then in Space and Missile Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant in 1998. Brett was very proud of his service to his country. Brett recently started working as a substitute teacher for the Tooele County School District. He loved helping his students learn. Brett was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brett served a full-time mission in the Ohio Columbus Mission. He had a strong testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, and of the Plan of Salvation. He tried to follow the teachings of Jesus by loving his neighbors as himself. Brett was known for his kindness and generosity for his fellow man, helping many people, even strangers, struggling to get back on their feet, helping his neighbors, and especially helping his parents and grandmother. Although he never married, Brett deeply loved all his family and extended family. He was especially proud of his nephews and niece, whom he loved very much. He supported them in all their endeavors whenever he could. Brett is preceded in death by his grandparents: Willard Mathews, and August and Florence Killip. He is survived by his grandmother: Erma Mathews; parents: Terry and Sallie Mathews; brothers: Wade (Kristen), Travis (Caroliene), Kyle, and Coby Mathews; niece: Sadee (TJ) Burry; nephews: Jayden, Wyatt, Colter, Eli, and Caleb Mathews, Tyler (Shelise), and Garret (McKenna) Johnson. Viewing will be held at Tate Mortuary on Friday, September 3, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and at the Erda Stake Center on Saturday, September 4, 2021, from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon. Interment, with full military honors, will be at the Tooele City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a veteran’s charity.