Matt Cole Byars
Seward resident, Matt Cole Byars, 21, passed away tragically on Oct. 14, 2012.
Matt was born at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage on April 21, 1991. After 72 hours of labor, Matthew Cole greeted the world — he was always one to take his time and do things on his own terms. From that moment on, he lived his life with zest. He was a little boy full of energy, life, laughter, and curiosity. He had a philosophical depth beyond his years.
Matt attended Seward High and Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. He was a great friend, compassionate, level headed and logical, listening to others and offering advice. There was never a person he met that did not fall in love with his kind soul and loving personality.
Matt loved the outdoors and being in nature. He enjoyed camping, running, biking, skateboarding, and skiing. Matt was a man who lived life to the fullest, and made a lasting impression on anyone who was fortunate enough to know him. From Alaska to Arizona, Hawaii to Mexico to Australia, Matt had a passion for travel. Loving long drives and always looking for adventure, he recently road tripped the Lower 48 with two good friends. If that car could talk, we would have some funny stories to share. Matt enjoyed spicy foods and would often stand with the refrigerator doors open chugging hot sauce from the bottle. There are countless stories and memories that make his family smile.
To say he will be missed is an understatement; our hearts are forever broken. Loved and cherished by friends and family alike, he was taken from us far too soon.
Matt is survived by his mother, Cathy; his father, Lonnie; grandmother, Frances Malcolm; half-brother, Terrance Stepetin; half-sister, Sherri Giron; uncles, Roger Malcolm and Troy Smith; aunts, Stacy Malcolm and Karen Malcolm-Smith; cousins Jessie and Luke Malcolm; best friend and cousin, Dylan Fuhs. We love you Matt.
Funeral Mass was held Oct. 20, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Seward with graveside services following at the Seward City Cemetery. Afterwards, a celebration of Matt’s life was at the Institute of Marine Science K.M. Rae Building. His friends from Tempe, Arizona held a candlelight vigil on Oct. 20.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance or The Nature Conservancy.
Visit the following link to share your favorite memories of Matt for all to cherish and keep forever, tinyurl.com/8vvonck.