Matthew Dane Thomas
September 1, 1995 ~ May 1, 2008
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Asheville – Matthew Dane Thomas, 12 year old son of Barbara Krueger Thomas and Dr. Scott Thomas, went to sleep with Jesus on Thursday, May 1st, 2008.
Matthew was born in Loma Linda, California on September 1, 1995 and was a member of Foster Seventh Day Adventist Church. Matthew was home schooled, active in local sports, an active member of the Youth Pathfinders Group at his church and helped in the guide dogs for the blind puppy raising program.
In addition to his parents, Matthew is survived by his sister, Stephanie Thomas and his twin brother, Andrew Thomas; his maternal grandparents, Peter and Jeanne Krueger and JoAnn and Terry Dawson; his paternal grandparents, Nelson and Nancy Thomas; his maternal great grandmother, Florence Reynolds; six aunts, six uncles and 17 cousins.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Foster Seventh Day Adventist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the "Guide Dog Foundation", c/o 100 Hamburg Mountain Road, Weaverville, NC 28787.
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Dear Barbara, Scott, Stephanie and Andrew. I just want you to know how much I love you guys and I wish I could be there. I will always treasure the memories of the times that we have spent together and look forward to many more days ahead together. I especially look forward to that great day when we will be together with Matthew in heaven. Im gonna try to get some sleep now and wake up and run hard for Matthew tomorrow. He will be my inspiration and I will think of you when things start to hurt and remember that no matter what that feels like I am feeling only a fraction of the pain that you are.
I am so glad Larinda could be with you, I feel like God’s hand was at work in being able to find a direct flight out the next morning. I Love you all, Scott
Dear Thomas Family; It hurts deeply to know of the drastic experiences our friends are called to go through even when we know Jesus does all things best. We cry with you and await the blessings stored up for you in His time.
In Christ; Arthur & Althea Folsom
There are so many thoughts that go through one’s mind at a time like this and it is impossible for anyone to understand what your family must be going through. Our times with Matthew were few and brief, so we didn’t know him well, yet we feel as though someone very special has been taken from our lives. He was a sweet boy so full of life and energy and fun, yet a real gentleman. The abyss that Matthew’s death leaves in your hearts must be overwhelming and we pray that it will be filled with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will take your hands and lead you through this dark valley. You are loved and prayed for.
Arlie & Karen Farndrich
Linsoln, Nebraska
Dr. Thomas,Barbara,Andrew and Stephanie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Just know that God has his arms around you and will carry you through this. I pray that you feel his presence and that you will be comforted. Love Cheri, Jerry and Jenna
To the Thomas Family,
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your son. My mother’s heart grieves with you. Jesus is with you every moment of every day.
God Be with You and Your Family,
Lisa Mol (Hiebert)
Dear Barbara and Scott and family,
We were deeply sadden to hear about your loss of Matthew. We can only imagine how hard this is for you. Please know you are in our heart and prayers. May God bless you and your family during this time and always.
Love, Kimberly and Johnny
Barbara-
Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We spent most of Bible study last Thursday lifting up you and your family! You are loved!
To the Thomas family, We are so sorry to hear of you tragic loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you comfort in the days ahead.
Barbara…you and your family are in my prayers! I am saddened and pray that you will received the comfort promised. Remember…Jesus is coming soon!
Robin Schwartz
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:13-17
Our prayers are with you as you say your goodbyes to Matthew. But we are assured that he will rise again and at that point be whole again.
Just remember that God is in control throughout our lives. Sometimes it is very difficult to see, but as we look back we can always see His Hand!
God be with you always!
Dr. Thomas,
I work at Wachovia Bank and spoke with you on the phone today. Scott and I are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your son Matthew. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your wife Barbara. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Scott J. Ferguson and Em Hackle.
My deepest sympathy goes out to all members of the Thomas family. I pray that the Lord will give you the strength to endure this most difficult time in your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Scott and Family,
Even though we haven’t been in touch in years, our hearts and prayers go out to you and yours in this very difficult time.
We were deeply saddend to here of your loss and our prayers and thoughts will be with you.
It has been my pleasure to watch those 3 precious children of yours through the last (almost) ll years. They are truly special, and Matthew was a little Barbara..My wish for you is God’s comfort and guidance. All our love.. Steve and Donna Gaddy
Dear Scott and Barbara,
Debbie just called me and I left the Basic Science seminar to send you this note. I have no words to describe how terrible I feel for both of you and your family. This loss is a horrible serendipitous tragedy. I hope the knowlege that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many people will help assuage the grief you are feeling. From the accolades listed, your son appeared to be quite a treasure.
With sympathy,
John Buchholz
Professor
Loma Linda Univ. Sch. Medi
Dear Scott, Barbara and family,
I just received word of the loss you have experienced with Matthew’s death. I have no words for you during this terrible time of shock and grief. I know your faith in Christ as the promise of Resurrection will hold you now.
The boys, Michael, Matthew, and David and myself extend our deepest sympathy to you all.
We will make a donation to the Guide Dog Foundation as you have requested, Barb.
I don’t know if you know, but Dad was killed last May in a plane crash, so although not a child, I know to a point of your grief over a loved one.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I will pray that God wrap His arms around you now.
Love you so much,
Deb
Dear Uncle Scott, Aunt Barbra, Stephanie, and Andrew,
I am so sad that Mattman died. I am sorry that I couldn’t be there with you. I love all of you so much and I am praying for you every day and so is our school. I wish you the best!
God bless,
Lindsay
Dear Barbara,
I haven’t seen you in so many years. and now to hear of your loss, I am so sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I as a mother of 2 sons can’t imagine what you are going thru.. my heart goes out to you mother to mother.
keep jesus first and he will comfort you in your time of sadness.
Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Thomas for allowing me the honor of caring for your son Matthew when he was in the hospital Tuesday night. I can tell by the way you spoke of him what a special boy he was, and what a loving family you are. Words can not express how sorry I am for your loss. My prayers are with all of you.
Dear Uncle Scott, Aunt Barbara, Stephanie, and Andrew
I’m so sorry for your loss, I can’t even imagine what you guys are going through, but I know it must be painful. I love all you guys, and I miss Matthew so much already. He was an awesome friend, and he will be missed. I wish I could’ve been there these past few days. I will always rememeber him, and I can’t wait to see him in heaven. I love you all…
Alex
I do not know you all persoanlly, but I do know the pain and sorrow you are feeling at this moment.
I am a former resident of Asheville and keep abreast of the happening there via my computer. I, too, know the pain of losing a child. She was an adult, just past 63 years but the pain is no different at any age. My daughter died Jan. 24 2005
at 8:10 a.m. and my husband died Jan 24, 2007 at 8:45 a.m., so I just want to say to you, the only
comfort and peace is from our faith in God, and the promise of being reunited with the loved ones who have gone on before
May God comfort and put his loving arms around as you go through this almost unbearable time
Scott,Barb,Stephanie and Andrew, No words can express how terrible we feel about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dear Scotty and Barb:
It is truly a mystery. You and your children are in my prayers. I hope that you will find comfort in each other and in the love felt for you by so many of us.
Sincerely, Sallie Lynne
You are in our thoughts and and we are praying for your whole family.
Inspirational Messages
Footprints In the Sand Message
In the deepest sleep one night I dreamed
that on the beach I walked.
God was by my side each step,
and quietly we talked.
Then on the sky my life was flashed,
the visions all serene.
Two sets of footprints in the sand,
were there in every scene.
But then I noticed in some scenes,
of suffering,pain,and strife……
Just a single set of footprints,
at the worst times of my life.
‘God….you said you’d stay by me-
in good times and in bad….
Why then did you leave me-
each time my life was sad?’
‘My precious child,’ God answered,
‘When your life had pain, I knew,
The single set of footprints,
were the times I carried you.’
copyright 1984 Kent Brown
Dear Barbara, Scott, Stephanie, and Andrew:
Barbara and I want to express our heartfelt sympathy to all of you in the loss of your son and brother, Matthew. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this very trying and difficult time. May God bless you and keep you in the hollow of his hand. One day soon on that great ‘Golden Morning’ you will be reunited with Matthew. Along with you, we cannot wait for that great momemt when Jesus comes. All our love to all of you.
You and your family are in my prayers. I can only pray to give you and your family courage and strength everyday at this difficult time and cast your sorrows to Christ. May we rejoice in the coming of the Lord and see our Loved ones again. God Bless
Dearest family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we struggle through the difficult days until we can be with Matthew again at the throne of God. The devil has won this battle, but God has already won the war. We cling to our Father’s promise that we will see Matthew again, and until that wonderful day, we will hold each other up and hold him dearly in our hearts.
We love you all.
Jonathan, Lisa, Max, and Alexandria
Dear Scott, Barbara and Family,
My heat goes out to all of you for the loss of your son. Scott I have not seen you for years, in times of tragedy and sorrow, I cannot find the words to express my saddness for you. In time, may you find the courage and strength to go on in life with all of your wonderful and loving memories of your beloved son.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Katrina
Barbara
I am writing on behalf of the Grace Community Church Thursday morning Beth Moore Bible Study Group. We are so saddened by this news. Please know that we prayed for your family, standing shoulder to shoulder Thursday morning and are committed to continue to lift you all up in prayers over the next few months. May God’s Peace and Comfort come quickly. May you feel His Love and know that your son is in His arms – forever.
Leeann Neve
Scott, Barbara, Stephanie and Andrew,
I know there are no words to ease your pain right now. Just know that there are so many people keeping you bathed in prayer. We know God’s promises to be true. He has promised to meet our every need. I know your need is great right now and I pray that He will bless you with the courage and strength you need for each moment as you remember the blessing Matthew was in your lives. Hugs you you all!
Barbara and Scott, Our hearts and thoughts are with you during this period of tragic loss. We will never know ‘why’ this side of heaven; if we keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him through our dark valleys, we can ask Jesus all the ‘why’ questions face to face after we are reunited with our loved ones in Paradise. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Scott, Barb, and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family this sabbath and our deepest sympathies for your loss. Our boys have been praying for you every night. God be with you.
Teresa, Tyler, Tanner and Brad Hoskinson
Scott, Barbara, Stephanie and Andrew,
There is no way that we can express in words the ache that we have in our hearts for you at this time of loss of Matthew. To lose a child is the most aching loss. Know that we are in prayer for your family. Also know that he is resting with Jesus until His soon coming when we will all be together again. Our love to you.
Scott, Chrissy, and Ancil Miller
MY Heart goes out to you all, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bring you Peace and Comfort knowing that your son is in the arms of our father in heaven. Many Blessings Darlene Vega
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Matthew but I do remember seeing him at the field. My kids play ball at South Asheville. I am so sorry for your loss. I can only guess how you, Matthew’s parents are feeling, but I can say I know exactly how Andrew is feeling. I too lost a twin. I am 38 years old and not a day goes by without thinking about Lisa, and all the what if’s? Andrew I am sending extra special prayers to you, Matthew my be gone from your side but he will always be a special part of you, and now he will be your guardian angel watching over you from Heaven above! With deepest sympathy, Lori Austin & Family
Dear Scott, Barbara, Stephanie and Andrew,
Frank and I are in shock and will probably remain there for some time. We loved Matthew and knew him as one of our best Pathfinders. I can remember him wanting to get the club meeting over so he could play basketball or throw the football in the gym. He was a regular kid and such a special one! We have been praying for all of you these past few days and will continue. God will help you find peace as you stay focused on Him!
Love you!
Words cannot express our sympathy for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly during this time. With love and care, Tommy, Dani, Brandon and Preston Farris
Dear Thomas Family;
Andrew Eremic our bookeeper told us of your son’s death and we are praying for all of you. ‘Lord, sustain them in this difficult time and help remind them that you are right by their side and in their hearts as they grieve.’We have sent out an anonymous prayer request to our intercessary prayer team across the country.
Dearest Scott, Barb, Stephanie and Andrew,
There are no words to express the profound heartache and sorrow John and I are feeling at this sad time.
My prayer is that God will wrap is ‘Big’ loving arms around each one of you to sustain and bring comfort.
Through your family, friends and your church I know that God will hold you close to His big heart through the difficult days ahead.
We love you and will continue to lift you up before our heavenly Father.
Love, John and Dianna
Dear Scott, Barbara, Stephanie and Andrew,
We are so saddened to hear of your great loss. Our prayers are with you as you go through this terrible time.
Bob and Barb Borgersen
Several of Matthew’s Little League teammates, the commissioner and I attended his memorial service. I was profoundly struck by the fact that while we were a very small part of a large group of people – Matthew’s impact upon our lives was very big. His life and character touched us all quite deeply though we have known him less than two months. For this I am grateful though deeply saddened by the loss.
May God’s grace be with you and keep you in the days, weeks and years ahead.
Andrew- the team is with you and we are waiting for you buddy.
Coach Andrew
Dear Family,
My husband and I are on the board of directors at South Asheville Little League. We also have a 12 year old son, and as we know that you are facing some tough times, we also know that Matthew is with our father, and he is in glory. Our hearts and prayers are with you and we will continue to keep you in our thoughts.
Scott, Barb, Stephanie, & Andrew,
I cannot express words enough of the gratitude that I have to your family for what you’ve done for me and my family with Honey. I am just still in shock and many tears have flowed over the past few days as my heart just aches for you all. We are thankful though, that you all were able to make the trip here to see Honey.
I don’t have the words to make things better or any easier, but please know that here in IN and many other places there are a LOT of prayers coming your way, to wrap His arms around you and comfort you. If you ever need an ear, please don’t hesitate to call, email, or IM me. I’d have given almost anything to have made the trip down there to be there to HUG you all and be there at your side, but it because of work commitments for Mike, we were unable to.
I admit, I question and wonder why, but I know for some reason it is in His plan, and someday we shall all see each other again in a better place and at His side with our furry friends right along with us. May this offer comfort to you amidst the tears and pain.
We will be sending a donation as well and I have passed along this information to most that I know too.
With much love and hugs from here to you all,
Kacie & Honey, Mike, Katie, Meaghan, & Alex