His struggles are over; Richard “Matthew” Parsons is now safe with our Lord. Matt, 36, died just after midnight Saturday, January 31, 2009 when he was hit by a car in Bullhead City, Arizona. Matt came into this world on March 15, 1972 in Holly Hill, Florida. Having spent his childhood growing up on the Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, he enjoyed fishing for Barracuda and playing soccer and baseball. Matt moved to Yuma with his family in 1986, and attended Yuma High School. He proved “white men can jump” even at 5’11” when he hit the courts – with duct tape holding his shoes together. He graduated in 1990 and attended Arizona Western College. Matt has an outgoing personality and never met a stranger. He was gifted in many areas and there was no job he could not do. At the time of his death, Matt was laying brick in Bullhead City and was striving towards a more productive life. Matt is survived by his three beautiful boys; Ty, Gideon and Craig of Queen Creek. He is also survived by his parents, Richard and Laura Parsons; sister, Michelle (Steve) Sievert of Yuma; brother, Jason of Phoenix; maternal grandmother, Phyllis Bratcher of Yuma; nephew, Parson Sievert; and niece, Saige Sievert, of Yuma. Matt was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Mary Parsons; and his maternal grandfather, Herbert Bratcher. Though Matt’s life took the road of addiction, he had a good heart that just lost its way. Now with God, Matt is finally at peace.