Matthew Casey

Matthew Patrick Casey - July 16th, 1981 to August 21st, 2026

Matt’s big brother Kurt said it best, “I heard once that to take the sorrow out of death would mean to take the joy out of life. Matt brought so much joy to all our lives but especially to his wife and girls, and that is why the sorrow is so unbearable!”

Matt grew up in Midvale Utah, attended Hillcrest High School, then went on to work for Cache Valley Electric for 22 years, and then recently celebrated his 5 year employment with CommScope. Matt is a husband, a dad, a friend, a golfer, a Jordan collector, and quite possibly one of the most determined men ever put on this earth.

Matt met Celeste when they were 17 and they were immediately inseparable. They were married on February 21st 2003. They are the absolute definition of soul mates. The perfect team. Two humans who grew up together, built a life together, raised his mini me’s, laughed hard at and with each other, weathered the unexpected storms and ultimately kept choosing each other. A couple that has zero regrets, cheered each other on, fell in love with each other over and over again.

Matt was the ultimate girl dad. His daughters were his greatest accomplishments, his biggest source of pride, and without question, two of his favorite people on this earth. The four of us created one hell of a team out of our little party of four. And while Bridgette and Laney may look like their dad, the ways they are truly his twins go so much deeper. They were gifted with his wit, his sarcasm, his determination (especially his determination to be right), his confidence, his huge heart, and his ability to show up for the people he loved are ingrained in both of them. Matt was their biggest fan and greatest cheerleader—not only of what they were doing, but of what they wanted to do, dreamed about, and were passionate about becoming. If one of his girls cared about something, Matt cared about it too. He never missed drill competitions, dance performances, cheer competitions, golf tournaments, and milestones. He was all in.

Matt felt passionately about spreading awareness for Neuroendocrine Cancer. He would say cancer chose him because if his battle meant that just one more person wouldn’t have to endure it, he’d gladly take it on and fight. Because that’s what Matt did.

He gave 100% to everything—being a husband, being a dad, motocross, duck hunting, work, golf, and yes, fighting cancer. If Matt was going to do something, he wanted to be the best at it. Half-assed was never really his thing.

The way he fought relentlessly while somehow keeping his humor, his heart, and his determination intact was awe-inspiring. Cancer brought unimaginable difficulty into our lives, but strangely, some really beautiful things came with these years too. We learned to live differently. We loved harder. And we laughed. Oh my hell, did we laugh.

Matt had an incredibly irreverent—and often wildly morbid—sense of humor about life with cancer. He kept us laughing when there was absolutely nothing funny about what was happening. The kind of laughing where you can’t breathe, tears are streaming down your face, and for a few minutes you almost forget why you needed to laugh so badly in the first place. Matt beat cancer, he did not lose to it. Cancer may have eventually taken his body, but it never got the things that made Matt Matt. It didn't take his humor. It didn't take his heart. It didn't take his determination. It didn't take his ability to love us fiercely. And it sure as hell didn't get to decide whether or not his life was a victory. You won Matt. You won.

You never had to wonder whether Matt was in your corner. Matt’s “family” extended beyond biology. He’s cultivated a community around his little family that is loving and fiercely loyal. His inner circle was extensive and everyone in it knew of their importance in his life, regardless of the words he used to verbalize it.

Matt’s people are his wife Celeste, Daughters: Bridgette and Laney, Parents: Mike & Trudy Casey, Siblings: Kurt & Kim Casey, Julie & Rod Garn, Jan & Brian Gunderson, & Janell Casey. In-laws: Dave & Lori Smith, Cort & Katie Smith, and so many nieces and nephews that adored their uncle Matt!

Thank you so much to our medical team, we don’t know how we lucked out with the A-Team right out the gate, but we are so fortunate to have had you in our corner! Dr. Wallentine, Karina, Laeci, Natalie and crew at Revere Provo Oncology, Dr. Lewis and Marlon our Neuroendocrine oncology specialists, Nuc Med Andy, our manual therapist Rachel Tobler, Revere Imaging: Spencer, Conrad, & Callie, and all of our favorite techs, Dr. Freestone & staff, & Dr. Kawa.

Ways to honor Matt:
Play a round of golf. Golf was not a hobby. Golf was a way of life.
Wear your favorite Jordans. His Jordan shoe wall requires its own estate plan.
Buy a stranger's dinner. Always pay it forward.
Tell an inappropriate joke at exactly at an inappropriate time, make someone laugh. Hard.

Events to honor and celebrate Matt are in the works. For information on dates and times, stay plugged into Matt’s family and close friends.

To my hubby… you told me to take you home, it’s supposed to be us together. You told me I know what to do. You told us to “B+”, it feels impossible to live without you. You are my biggest cheerleader, the calm in my storm. In every moment, every tear, every laugh, every breath, you are a part of us. I know that somehow, somewhere, we're still a perfect team. You are my soul, my life, I don’t know how to exist without you. You made our lives so beautiful. So wherever you are, save me a seat. Every day I wake up is a day closer to seeing your crooked smile again. Forever and always, always-always-always. I love you.