Obituary of Matthew Brady Leppell

Matt passed away at age 24, after 9 month battle with Leukemia (ALL), Crohns Disease and several complications. Matt is survived by his parents, John and Mona Leppell, His brother Jonny Leppell and sister Kristen Leppell of University Place, Wa. His Grandparents John and Gunda Lacross of Fircrest, Wa., and John and Edna Leppell of Forks, Wa., And his dog Mary Jane and cat Doobie of University Place. Matt was a Curtis High School Graduate, class of 2005. After High School Matt went on to volunteer for the East Olympia Fire Department, Olympia, WA., where he received his Firefighter Certificate. He also worked at Ft. Lewis, Wa. as a Wheel Mechanic. Matt, also known as “MARVELOUS MATT,” wrestled professionally for I.C.W. wrestling in Washington, Oregon and Canada for 6 years. Matt’s eyes sparkled every time he was on stage, that has been his dream since he was young. And he truly loved entertaining the crowds and putting on great shows. Our son is an inspiration to so many not just to us but to anyone who has had to fight cancer. During Matt’s 9 months of being hospitalized all but a few weeks that he was able to go home he never once complained. He survived MRSA, Flesh eating Bacteria in which tissues, skin and his ab-muscle were removed and over a month in ICU in March/April. The Drs. said he wouldn’t survive it but he fought hard and received a skin graph in June. He then had ½ of his colon removed as a result of his Crohns Disease. He was in remission for apx. 3 months but had to wait for his body to heal from all of his surgeries and couldn’t receive a strong chemo. for his cancer and then we found out his cancer returned. Seattle Children’s Hospital did one last chemo with no success. Matt’s cancer was still present and he had more complications placing him back in I.C.U. Matt was the strongest, funniest, caring person on earth. When Matt was in the hospital he constantly made everyone laugh - his jokes were contagious and his pranks hilarious. He had the kindest heart and always worried about others first; it didn’t matter that he was the one suffering. If you were to ask anyone who has ever met Matt what they remember most about him I guarantee the answer would be his sense of humor, pranks and joking personality. I heard over and over again at Seattle Children’s Hospital by staff the comment: “We’ve never had anyone like Matt before, He’s tougher than nails”. He amazed the Drs. With his strong will to live and never giving up. Matt we love you so much baby, and life just isn’t going to be the same without you we miss you so much already. You were the best son, brother a mama and daddy, brother and sister could ask for, and don’t worry we will take good care of Mary Jane and Doobie. Remember when you would leave the house and you would always say “I love you mama” and mama would always reply “and mama loves you”, if I didn’t say it just right you wouldn’t leave the house till I did. Sometimes I would mess up and say “I love you too, Matt” and you would say “no mama that’s not right,” and continue saying “I love you mama” until I got it right. I am missing you so much already my heart hurts. I just want to hold you again and have you pick me up randomly and not put me down. Please meet me in our special place so we can talk and I will meet you one day in heaven, but until then I know God wanted you there to make all the kids laugh up there because that’s what you do best. Until then, my handsome Matt…Mama loves you! “Broders got each others Broders backs” I love you Matt…Broder Jonny Matt, my big but not biggest brother. You are amazing. You have taught me so much and I know I wouldn’t be who I am today if you were never a part of my life. You have taught me to be strong when I feel weak, to laugh when I want to cry, and to love when I feel hate. I know it’s crazy to say, but the past 9 months have been some of the best, but worst months of my life. Yes, I hated to see you struggle and hurt. But, overall, we became so much closer. I’m gonna miss you bud - and I already do. You were and are my everything. I’ll never forget our late nights watching Save By the Bell as I held your hand till you fell back asleep, or waking up randomly during the night and coming over to you to give you hugs. I would give anything to rest my head on your chest and hear your heart beat again. I would give anything to hold your hand or hear your laugh. But I know you are still with me; I know, Matt, that you are my angel already. And don’t worry about us, I’m holding down the fort! Have fun up there and I cannot wait till I see you again. I love you Matt. Matt you are the strongest person I have ever known, not just physically but mentally. I have never seen anyone that endured so much and never once complain or felt sorry for yourself. You are truly an inspiration to all the people that have had the privilege of meeting you and as your father I am truly proud to say that you were my son and friend. To be told by so many Doctors and Nurses at Seattle Children’s that you have touched their lives and made them better at what they do, brings tears to my eyes and helps me feel that all your suffering could save a life in the future. I will never forget your smiling face, sense of humor and caring about others, I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! Daddy From all of us to you my baby. We love and miss you. See you again in heaven! Please join us in remembering and celebrating Matt’s life .. Saturday September 25, 2010 @ 1:00p.m. at University Place Presbyterian Church, located: 8101 27th St. West, University Place, Wa. Matt’s celebration of Life following church services at: Maritime Museum, Located: 705 Dock St., Tacoma, Wa. Matt has a fund set up at Umpqua Bank, University Place, Wa., 4704 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, WA 98466 Or by mail: Umpqua Bank, P.O. Box 1820, Roseburg, Oregon 97470 RE: John & Ramona Leppell acct. set up under Matt’s non-profit fund- This info. Must be on donation…Thank you Thank you to all the staff at Seattle Children’s for taking care of our Marvelous Matt for the past 9 months. Thank you to all our friends and family for being there for our family and Matt during Matt’s fight through Leukemia, without you we couldn’t have done this. Signing out for now…See you in heaven Baby!