Matthew J. Emerson

Matthew J. (Matt) Emerson, 20, left this Earth to be with his heavenly father on Sept. 18, 2007, in Mosul, Iraq, where he was proudly serving as a Specialist with the U.S. Army. Matt Emerson was born on Oct. 20, 1986 in Sunnyside to L. J. and Ginger (Evans) Emerson. He joined a family that included his brother Joe and sister Christine.

A lifelong Grandview resident, Matt attended Harriet Thompson Elementary, Grandview Middle School and graduated from Grandview High School in 2005.

He had a lifelong passion for God and country, and entered the United States Army in July 2005. His boot camp training was at Fort Benning, GA, where he also graduated from Airborne School. Emerson's first assignment was at Fort Bliss, TX, from which he deployed to Iraq on Nov. 1, 2006.

A Grandview Greyhound through and through, Matt was proud to play Greyhound football through middle school and high school. He was also a three-year member of the GHS golf team, and was on the track team his senior year. As a younger athlete he also played soccer and wrestled. Summers were filled with countless hours enjoying God's creation, and his family home and yard. His skills and talents were put to good use helping his family with their cherry and apple orchard just south of Grandview.

Emerson and his family attended the Grandview Church of the Nazarene, where he took part in Sunday school and youth group. He had a solid, personal relationship with Jesus, and knew he could always talk with the Lord.

A loyal Grandview Greyhound and WSU Cougars fan, Matt also loved the San Francisco 49ers, and proudly displayed his autographed picture of Jerry Rice on his bedroom wall. His favorite movies to watch repeatedly were the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Black Hawk Down. As a typical teenager, he spent countless hours perfecting his video game skills, hoping to best his brother and friends. Driving through Grandview in his pick-up truck, he was usually listening to Metallica on his way to the home of one of his many friends.

Matt loved everything about growing up in his beloved hometown of Grandview. His loyalty, honesty and unique sense of humor endeared him to everyone who knew him.

Matt Emerson is survived by his parents, L.J. and Ginger Emerson at the family home in Grandview; his brother, Joe, of Cheney; and his sister, Christine, of Seattle. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Virginia Evans of Prosser; aunts and uncles, Iver and Camille Eliason of Tacoma; Vern and Cathy Emerson of Boise, Idaho; Inez and Jack Hughes of Pasco; Don and Barbara Olmstead of Grandview; Lou and Kathy Rabe of Crystal Lake, IL; and Robert III and Carol Evans of Kennewick; and by many loving cousins. He was also blessed with a host of close friends from high school and from the U.S. Army. Matt was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Christine Emerson of Tacoma; by his maternal grandfather, Robert C. Evans Jr. of Prosser; and by his cousin, Kristen Evans of Kennewick.

Funeral services for Matthew J. Emerson, under the direction of Smith Funeral Home of Grandview, will be Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandview Church of the Nazarene. Burial with full military honors will be at the Prosser Cemetery, next to his 'Bampa,' Robert C. Evans Jr.

Those wishing to honor his memory may contribute to the American Legion Post 73 Memorial Fund, in care of Greg Schlieve, P.O. Box 369, Grandview, WA 98930, or to the charity of choice. Friends who would like to share memories or send wishes to the family may do so online at matthewjemerson.com.

Rest in peace, our beloved Matthew. You fought our good fight, and we are all the better for it. You have left a hole in our hearts, which will be healed when we see you again one day.