Matthew 'Matt' Studor, 33

Matthew “Matt" Walter Studor, 33, died in the early morning of June 25, 2016, at his home in Spokane Valley.

Born in Texas City, Texas, Matt was a long-time resident of Coeur d'Alene and Hayden and attended Lake City High School. As a youth, Matt was an adventurous, curious and risk-taking leader of other kids, which occasionally got him into trouble.

At 17, Matt moved to Houston and received a pharmacy technician certification in 2000 and worked at a pharmacy in Clear Lake, Texas, but moved back in 2001 to work in the IV Pharmacy at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Unfortunately, long hours and late nights lead to a horrific car crash that fundamentally changed the direction of Matt's life. After months of recovery, Matt worked at a variety of local establishments like Olive Garden, Cheese Cake Cafe, Twin Lakes Golf Course and the Shore Lounge at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. After moving to Minneapolis in 2010, Matt worked many hours for his father on preserving the personal and unit records of his grandfather from World War II.

More recently, Matt attended Spokane Falls Community College, where he was studying horticulture with aspirations to help develop urban gardens for at-risk neighborhoods.

Matt was exceedingly loyal to his friends and family and gave of himself whenever possible. He took pride in his family and more recently sought to bring them more closely together. He grew to be a compassionate and forgiving man, with a special talent for giving the perfect gift or card to every person. Matt enjoyed working out, spending time outdoors, and nurturing anything that grows. He particularly loved his dogs and the small container garden he tended to on his back deck.

Matt is survived by his parents, Anita Chariton and George Studor; stepmother Mary Studor; his four siblings: Joshua, James, Mark, and Amanda; his close friend Dawn Minette; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins located throughout the country.

In Matt's memory, the family has requested donations be made in his name to the Kootenai Environmental Alliance/Crossroads Community Roots program, which connects at-risk youth back to the land that feeds them. More information can be found at www.kealliance.org/community-roots.

A public viewing was held at Yates Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 28, followed by a memorial service at the home of his cousin Brook. Matt and his family were blessed to have his entire immediate family and many close friends and relatives present. A columbarium at the Forest Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene will hold his cremated remains when space becomes available next spring. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.