Matthew Bassett
Matthew Bassett
Matthew Bassett
Matthew Bassett
Matthew Bassett
Matthew Bassett

Obituary of Matthew Clifton Bassett

October 21, 1981 - November 8, 2016 Father, Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. Matt lived his life with unyielding passion. He loved his family deeply and he loved his country adamantly. The love of his life was Kristen. They were high school sweethearts and he positively adored her. At Lilly's first Thanksgiving Matt was thankful to be alive and said everyday was truly a gift he didn't know he would have. He was grateful for the family he and Kristen had started and said he would never take that for granted. Matt gave such a heartfelt speech that he left the rest of the table misty eyed and silent, no one knowing how to follow such an honest and touching toast. After graduating from High School Matt went to a recruitment office for the United States Army. The recruiters were busy and seemed to brush him off. He wandered outside feeling a little blue when a giant Gunny covered in tattoos asked him what he was up to. Matt said "Well sir, I was trying to serve Uncle Sam, but they don't seem to want me" The Gunny put an enormous arm around Matt and introduced him to the United States Marines. He left for boot camp the very next day. Graduating at the top of his class. He was awarded a set of Dress Blues for his achievement. He fought in the battle for Fallujah where he was injured and received a purple heart. While in the Corps Matt earned the respect of his fellow Marines. He also earned the admiration of the Marines he instructed at The School of Infantry. Matt served his country with Honor and Distinction. Matt was awarded the rank of Sargent before leaving the Corps to as he put it "do what was best for his family" he was excited and optimistic to be moving on in his life. While preparing for his final Marine Corps Ball he had to have those same Blues let out by a tailor whom said there is no more seam allowance to let them out further. Matt blamed the food my parents kept feeding him and said his inner fat kid was trying to get out. He once won a ten-dollar bet for eating three bowls of seafood rice after eating an entire Christmas Eve dinner. Matt would go to the gym to relieve frustrations and keep in shape. Together Matt and Kristen were always staying active and fit. He even had those shoes that have toes, which is supposed to make the runner feel like they are running barefooted. Matt once ran a half marathon and decided right after finishing was a good time for a haircut. His friend Stephen said he could really play basketball even though he was a short white guy. Being a devoted family man he took pride in being a Dad, he delighted in and loved his children. Matt had said that his family was not his first priority, it was his only priority. He had an active role in their lives. Being very active in helping Kristen with the birth of their daughter Lilly he was beaming with joy, she was his pride and joy. Learning how to swaddle was one of his greatest talents, he could make Lilly into a little football. When Maddix was born, you could see from the smile on his face that his heart was bursting with love. Being the type of dad to be very involved in his children's lives, changing diapers and feedings were some of his favorite past times. Matt was an amazing artist designing most of his own and even some of his friends' tattoos. Sharing his love of art and nerdiness he took his family to Comic Con. Holding Lilly's hand he took her to see the exhibits. Matt would take her to movies and the beach he loved spending time with her. Soccer is one of Lilly's passions and he was extremely vocal about how to help the team by seeing the strengths in each player. Matt worked hard to support his family and he would say he would do anything to provide for them. He was enthusiastic about his Job at the cable company. Matt was creative, hardworking, artistic and an avid reader, including every Harry Potter book in the series. He cared for others, he was generous, kind and compassionate. He had an epic sense of humor and faith. He celebrated life and enjoyed every holiday. He was kind to animals, they had a dog named Haley a Bassett Hound that Matt would say drove him crazy, but he loved her. Haley was his copilot cross country when the family moved from Camp Pendleton California to Florida. Haley got out Halloween night and Matt was out all night looking for her, only to discover she had been picked up and taken to the pound. The next day when he called the animal shelter and described her, the person on the phone said they'd never heard anyone know so much detail about a pet. Always being interested in learning new things, he was willing to learn, he helped lay tile, paint walls and help do other renovations at a friend's house. Matt loved life, his family and friends, he was a dedicated father and conscientious worker. His legacy will continue in his family and friends who truly loved him. We will remember his smile, his laugh, his intensity for getting things right, his desire for a better life for his family and friends. His joy and love for his family. May God Bless Matt Bassett it was an honor and a privilege to know him, he will be an asset in heaven.
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Gathering of Family and Friends

NOV 16. 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM Reese Funeral Home 6767 Seminole Boulevard Seminole, FL, US, 33772 info@reesefuneral.com http://www.reesefuneral.com

Committal Service with Military Honors

NOV 17. 02:15 PM Bay Pines National Cemetery 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/baypines.asp Bay Pines, FL, US, 33708

Interment

Bay Pines National Cemetery 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/baypines.asp Bay Pines, FL, 33708
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