Brent Matthews

© Stilwell (OK) Democrat Journal
April 5, 2006
Submitted by: Martha Real

Brent Matthews, 21 son of Billy Dale and Rhonda Matthews and brother of Brook Matthews of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away March 26, 2006 in London, England. He was born May 29, 1984 in Maryville, Illinois.

He is survived by his grandparents, Billy and Kathleen Matthews of Westville, Oklahoma; maternal grandmother, Charlotte Wagehoft of Auburn, IL, and great grandmothers, Opal Matthews of Broken Arrow, OK, and Marjorie Mullin of Westville, OK.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Kenneth Wagehoft and paternal great grandfathers, William Matthews and Gwen Mullin.

Brent was touring England, Scotland and Ireland with a performing arts group called the Young Americans. The group represents a diverse cross section of American youth and inspired an appreciation for music and performances in kids through four-day workshops conducted in schools around the world. Brent had been fighting a virus for the duration of the tour, which began in early January, and he became dehydrated. Autopsy reports showed that the dehydration caused a blood clot, resulting in a massive heart attack. Brent’s family said he was in good company, all of 40 of his fellow Young American cast members were by his side when he passed.

He was an avid internet blogger and friends say he touched the lives of thousands of young people around the world. His work as a Young American can be found by logging on to www.myspace.com/gweet.

He traveled with the National American Miss Pageant as a stage director and sound technician. His work in the pageant world also hit close to home, as he helped his older sister, Brook, prepare for the talent competition in the 2004 Miss America Pageant. Brent was a free spirit. Family members said they take comfort in knowing that he left this world doing exactly what he loved.

Brent graduated from Blair High School in 2002. Upon graduation, he joined the Young Americans cast and was in his third year of touring with them. He had planned to attend college in the fall of 2006.

Graveside services were held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at Westville City Cemetery with Bro. Phillip Ayento, Bro. Audie Vaughn, Bro. Tim Broughton and Bro. Stanley Reinemund officiating. Burial was under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Westville, Oklahoma.