Matthew 'Matt' Cole Madison, 20
Our beloved son, Matthew Cole "Matt" Madison, died Jan. 3, 2006, in St. Andrew's, Scotland, from injuries sustained in an accidental fall from the cliffs overlooking the St. Andrew's "Old Course" and the North Sea.
He and his friends were there to enjoy the birthplace of golf and to play the Old Course. They were traveling during their Christmas break from studies at Gonzaga University's campus in Florence, Italy. "Matthew loved the game of golf and that is where God decided to take our wonderful son from us. He was a Christian young man and we know he is waiting for all of us in heaven."
Matthew had been having the time of his life traveling throughout Europe with his friends. He would call home and say, "This is the best year of my life - everything is so awesome, Mom and Dad. Thank you for allowing me to attend the Gonzaga-in-Florence program this year! I love you."
Matthew was born May 28, 1985, in Bozeman to Dan and Marlyn Madison. He attended Belgrade schools and graduated with honors in 2003. Matt was an outstanding student at Belgrade High School and was involved in many activities, including National Honor Society, student council, speech, debate and drama, choir, football and golf, in which he made All-State his senior year.
Matt was in his junior year at Gonzaga University studying electrical engineering. He sang in the choir his freshman year, and was a proud member of the Gonzaga basketball team's "Kennel Club." He attended all of the basketball games to cheer on the Zags with tremendous enthusiasm.
Matthew also enjoyed skiing, waterskiing, camping, fishing, windsailing, traveling and getting together with all his relatives at the "Madison lake lot" on Flathead Lake every summer.
Matt was a very kind and gentle young man with a knack for being a quiet leader. He will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends.
Survivors include his parents, Dan and Marlyn Madison; sister, Heather, and son, Anthony; brother, Taylor; and his cherished grandparents, Bob and Norma Petersen, all of Bozeman. He is also survived by numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, and special friends, Dave, Cherryl, Weston, Caitlin Makatura and Grandma Lois, as well as his entire "Gonzaga family."
He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Ralph and Ruth Madison; and cousin, Robert "Bub" Murphy.
Matthew was a brother in Christ and baptized Sept. 29, 1985. "We love you and will miss you 'Mattchew Boy!'"
Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 4383 Durston Road, in Bozeman at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Matthew Madison Scholarship Fund. Donations are accepted at any Big Sky Western Bank location, or may be sent to the Bozeman branch at 4150 Valley Commons Drive, Bozeman, MT 59718.