Matthew Jones

Obituary of Matthew Christopher Jones

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Matthew "Matt" Christopher Jones

(May 27, 1990 - July 11, 2020)

 

Matt Christopher Jones of Edmonton, AB, formerly of Hay Lakes, AB, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at the age of 30 years.

 

Matthew was born to Susan Jones-Kupka & Brian Jones on May 27th, 1990 in Edmonton, AB - a baby brother for their two-year-old daughter, Ashley. Matt and Ashley became the bond between two blended families - Brian marrying Janice Erhart in 1995 and Susan marrying Randy Kupka in 2000. Matt welcomed twin brothers into the world - Kyler and Kelton to Susan & Randy - in May of 1999, and a baby sister - Kianna to Brian & Janice - March of 2001. Although not the oldest sibling, Matt was a ‘big brother’ to all! He shared his love of adventure & travel with Ashley & Kelton, and love of sports with Kyler & Kianna, and you can see a piece of Matthew in each one of them. Their love and admiration for their brother was undeniable and his love, protection, humorous stories, and support was felt in every moment he shared with them. 
Matt may have been born in Edmonton, but his heart was felt across the Prairies with family in Saskatchewan, family & friends in Alberta, and family & friends in BC. Early days were spent in northeast Edmonton & Sherwood Park until moving out to Hay Lakes, where the start of his childhood would take roots, and so did his love for the country. Between the ages of 14 and 30, Matt split his time between living in Surrey, BC, Hay Lakes, Camrose, and then Edmonton, AB....where the friends in his life started multiplying and receiving a piece of his huge heart. There wasn’t a brother, sister, or friend that couldn’t count on Matt to provide help or support, or be shown a good time! He was the ‘big man on campus’ and that campus was life....and he lived in 30 years what most of us won’t in 60. He could walk into a room not knowing a soul, and leave having made friends with everyone his soul touched. 


In June of 2016, Matt met Sheryllynn McNeil, and they became engaged June 11th, 2017. Matt always made Sheryllynn feel like she was the only one in the room whether they were alone, with friends at a party or nightclub, or at a concert with 18,000 other people. He always tried to make her feel so special & loved, and their time together was cut off far too soon. 
Matt was also an animal lover, and had a special gift & incredible love for dogs. Growing up through to his last days, Matt always had 4-legged companions that drew to him like friends did. It was only appropriate that he not only had two homes of loving parents & siblings, but also have two dogs named Tucker (one in Surrey that passed a couple of years ago, and his buddy Tucker that laid beside him when his heart gave way and he spent his last breath). He & Sheryllynn also had beautiful Trigger Jones, and recently took in a rescue dog - Stallone - that will also miss their incredible caring Dad!

Although Matt was the big protective brother to his four siblings, he was the ‘little brother’ to Ashley’s love - Peter Iggulden. Peter & Matt would share a special bond and Matt would lean on Peter for support & advice from the day he joined our blended family. He was possibly vulnerable only to Peter, looking for answers and opening up his true feelings like he did to no other. 
Matt would have more sayings or one-liners through the years than Jim Carey (his favourite comedian) and Rodney Dangerfield combined. From: ‘If you ain’t first, your last’ to ‘Here for a good time, not a long time’ to ‘Git er dun’ to ‘Drive it like you stole it!’ and so many more, but he spent his 30 years living each and every one of them. He was a talented athlete - playing hockey (nicknamed “Slapper” for his wicked slap shot), baseball (nicknamed “Homer” for the bombs he would belt), to many other school & recreational sports where he would always excel and show his passion to play hard & win. Second place wasn’t an option ‘cause....well.... if you ain’t first, you’re last!


The school years began in Sherwood Park for Kindergarten & Grade 1, until the family moved out to Hay Lakes AB, where Kindergarten to Grade 12 shared the same school. This was perfect for Matt because he could keep tabs on his older sister, make sure she was looked after, and fend off the pesky boys! After moving out to Vancouver his first year of high school, Matt graduated from Sullivan Heights Senior Secondary. Although post-secondary wasn’t in his plans, the canvas of life was, and he ‘taught’ every family member & friend how to achieve 100% in the courses of Fun, Love, Enjoyment, Family, Loyalty, and Life!
Matt would begin his working career in a variety of fields, attaining safety & compliance knowledge and course completion that would lay the groundwork and platform for him to take only a couple of additional courses to become a Safety Consultant, performing training & audits throughout Alberta, and starting his own business. He had the ‘gift’ for everyone to believe in him and to follow him, so it was only appropriate that once he knew the tools of the trade, he would become the teacher, the trainer, the leader - the one to be followed.....
We could literally fill 100’s of photo albums (or 128 MB flash drives, depending on your generation!) of Matt living life to its fullest. He was a prankster, a storyteller, a ham to the camera, and had a smile & personality that could light a room or eliminate the need for a flash. The stories are endless, and the ‘Matt-isms’ are priceless, and the family will be glad to share many, many of these stories over the next few days and for years to come.....and knowing Matt - we’ll probably hear many more from you friends and family as we celebrate his life together!

 

Rest In Peace Matthew Christopher Jones! We all love you, you were taken far, far too soon, and you will be surely and deeply missed!
 

Left to cherish his memory are his parents Susan Jones-Kupka and Randy Kupka of Camrose, Brian and Janice Jones of Surrey BC; siblings Ashley Jones (Peter Iggulden) of Camrose, Kyler Kupka of Camrose, Kelton Kupka of Camrose, and Kianna Jones of Surrey BC; his fiance Sheryllynn McNeil; and his beloved dogs Tucker, Trigger, and Stallone.

 

Matt was predeceased by his grampa, Peter. 

 

A private service was held for family and friends.
 
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Matt's memory may be made to the Old Macdonald Kennels and Animal Services (Ponoka) or to the BC SPCA Surrey Education and Adoption Centre.

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