Matthew Gydas

Matthew Gydas died during the early morning hours on Saturday, June 25, 2016, his death is a great loss and devastating to his family and friends. We wish so badly we could bring him back. That is not possible so we instead have to rely on the memories of the happy times we spent together to comfort us as well as God's promises concerning those who have died.

Matt was born on Dec. 4, 1984, to Kristine and Evaldas Gydas in Missoula. Matt grew up in Missoula being cared for by his grandmother Colleen, when his parents were working. Matt attended grade school and middle school in Missoula and then high school at Sentinel. After high school Matt tried several things and attended the University of Montana but did not find anything he truly wanted to do. Matt, inspired by his Grandfather Gydas, decided to become a chef. Matt attended the Le Cordon Bleu School in Portland and then returned to Missoula shortly after graduating.

Matt met his wife Ashley, while attending the Le Cordon Bleu School. Ashley moved to Missoula to be with Matt after he returned here. Matt grew up living in the Miller Creek area and loved being up there. Matt and Ashley eloped to Miller Creek on Oct. 19, 2014, where they had their wedding performed by a friend of theirs. We remember many good times the family had together up Miller Creek both before and after the wedding.

Matt is survived by his wife, Ashley Gydas; his parents, Kris and Ed; his brother Dan; his brother Paul and Paul's wife Lauren; his grandmother, Colleen Gydas; his mother and father-in-law Dani and Mike Dotson; his sisters-in-law, Shelby, Stephanie and Whitney; 10 aunts and uncles as well as 10 cousins and his dog June.

Matt last worked at the Good Food Store. Everyone there has been wonderful about going out of their way to help us. Ashley's friends from Bernice's Bakery have been a great help to her. Kris's family at Missoula Bone and Joint and our law enforcement family have been extremely supportive and helped us greatly.

A memorial service will be held at the Garden City Funeral Home on Thursday, June 30, at 1:30 in the afternoon. A reception there will follow. Matt did not enjoy dressing up, except sometimes in western wear, so please dress casually or in western style. For our law enforcement family Matt would have felt honored to have anyone who happens to be on shift to attend in uniform of the day.

Matt really liked children and in fact one of the "tests" Matt had to pass before Ashley would marry him was she had to find out if her nephew liked Matt. Apparently Matt passed with flying colors. Because Matt liked children and really cared for people in need we would request that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Montana Hope Project in Matt's name. Please note that the donation is in honor of Matt in the memo line so we can properly thank those who do so.