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Matthew Barkley Obituary
He was the son of Brad and Sharon Barkley both of Yuba City. Matt was a Yuba City High School graduate of the class of 2007. During high school Matt participated in ASB, he was on the golf team, and was an All League Lineman on the football team.
While at Cal Poly Matt was a top student in the ROTC Program where he was known for his leadership and people skills. Prior to high school he attended Tierra Buena Elementary School. Anyone who knew Matthew was attracted to his easygoing personality, smile, and charisma. His loss will be felt by many for years to come.
Matthew is survived by his mother and father Sharon and Brad of Yuba City, brother and sister-in-law Chris and Carlie Barkley, niece Ava Lucille Barkley of Roseville, CA, his Grandmothers Lucille Vickrey and Lydia Barkley both of Yuba City, Aunt and Uncle Becky and Charlie DeForest, cousins C.J., Hanna, and Chant DeForest of Wheatland, CA, Aunt Julie Barkley and partner Shelene Brinson, cousins Julian and Feliciana Barkley of Yuba City, Aunt Diane Hilbert, cousins Joshua, Stephanie, and Jordan Hilbert of Yuba City, Aunt and Uncle Valerie and Alan Bowden of Las Vegas, NV, cousin Emily Hill of Davis, CA, and Uncle Dan Dunn of Sprague River, OR . He was preceded in death by his Grandfathers Earnie Vickrey, Claude C. Barkley, and Uncle Jerry Hilbert
Please join the family for a celebration of Matt's life on Friday January 13th at 10am. A memorial will be held at Hope Point Nazarene Church, 600 North George Washington Blvd., Yuba City, CA 95993. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Julie Barkley's home located at 1561 Adams Road, Yuba City, CA 95993. All are welcome.
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Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Barkley
Lisa Roberts
January 7, 2025
You are still in our fond memories Matt. We will never forget you
Brian & Lisa Russell
January 25, 2012
Dear Brad, Sharon, Chris & Family,
We are so sad for you and for the loss of Matt. We remember Matt as such a sweet, friendly young man with a smile ever present on his face.
Words cannot describe how sorry we are. Please accept our deepest condolences. We are praying for strength and comfort for you at this time.
Walter S
January 16, 2012
Sorry for your loss. I hope your family remains strong through these difficult times and find comfort in God's word.
Chris Yonge
January 15, 2012
Dear Barkley Family, We were especially saddened by the news of Matt's passing. It it always particularly difficult for me when I learn of a former player's passing. Especially one who was such a pleasure to work with as Matt was. He was the consummate teammate and always tried to make those around him better. Interestingly, that is the way I remember him as a student and the way I saw him as late as last year in Eugene at an Oregon game. Your family will be at the center of our prayers of solace and peace. God Bless.
January 14, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss and pray that the love of family and friends ease your sorrow. I didn't know Matt well, but every time I saw him at TB, I just had to smile- he was so full of light- those golden curls and that big smile.
Love,
Norma Hembree
Amy Zamagni
January 13, 2012
Matt will never be forgotten. He always had that beautiful smile on his face that inspired everyone to smile as well. May God comfort the Barkley family & all of the other hearts that Matt has touched in his short 23 years. You're all in my prayers.
Sylvia Lewis
January 13, 2012
Dear Barkley Family, we are so sorry to hear of Matt's passing. We remember his warm smile and caring heart from Tierra Buena days. We're thinking of you and praying for all of you. Love, Murry, Sylvia, and Brandon Lewis.
Patricia Putman Barlow
January 13, 2012
Life can be so full of joy, but it can also hold deep sorrows. My thoughts are with you during this extremely painful time. Patricia Putman Barlow (Griffin, Georgia)
Marilyn and David Warmee
January 12, 2012
Brad, Sharon and Chris, our hearts are with you and your family in this time of unimaginable sorrow. Although Matt's time with us was short, he touched so many lives and hearts. We were all lucky to have known him, and are stunned and bereft at his passing. The memory of his smile and his easy grace will always be with us. He won't be forgotten.
January 12, 2012
My heart is so broken for you and all the family today at your loss of your son.There are no words to say that are adequate to comfort enough at this time,but you are not alone in your grief as my heart and prayers are with you all.Sue Plumlee(Jerry's sister)
Evelyn McCallister
January 12, 2012
Our deepest sympathies to The family . Prayers for healing from The McCallister Family, Yuba City, CA.
Ryan Essary
January 12, 2012
Though I didn't know you real well, I still feel like like the world is one great guy less. What I remember from HS was a guy with a big smile who treated everyone with respect. Its a sad thing the world lost another great man.
Tom Lancaster
January 11, 2012
Matt and I were acquaintances in high school and college. When I heard of his passing, it saddened me greatly.
My thoughts and prayers are with Matt and the Barkley family. May God provide you comfort during this difficult time.
Karen Yonge
January 11, 2012
Once a student or player enters your life you never forget them and always feel they are partially "yours". Brad and Sharon, Chris and I feel privileged that you shared Matt with us as a student and player. What a gift it was to be around him! We are in constant prayer for your strength during this difficult time. May God comfort your entire family and Matt's huge circle of friends.
Hillary Moore
January 11, 2012
Sharon and family, All my thoughts are with you, and all my love! I am so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you, Hillary Moore
January 11, 2012
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Larkins and Family
Rose & Larry Gregg
January 11, 2012
Sharon and Brad,
Thinking of you....may God bring you some comfort at this very difficult time.
With much love and friendship,
Margaret Heffington Wright
January 11, 2012
Sharon & Family,
I want to send a huge hug to all of you. The loss of a child & brother is so devastating. May God hold you all in his arms and help you to get through each day... You are in my prayers.
Carl & Liz Patterson
January 11, 2012
Sharon and Brad,
We were so very sorry to here about Matt.
Our hearts go out to you and your family during this terrible time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Andy & Sheila Suleski
January 11, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Andy and Sheila Suleski
Tiffine Cahoon
January 11, 2012
Matt was always someone who inspired me..always had a smile and always positive..made you believe that you can achieve anything you put your mind to..I look back to our years at Tierra Buena and Yuba High and can not imagine life without him...
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers always.. You are missed!!
Lynette Amarel
January 11, 2012
Shari, Brad, Lucy and Family
I am so very, very sorry. My heart and all my love goes out to you all. I wish I could be there to hold you in my arms Shari and offer you some comfort. So please, please feel my arms go around you and hold you and accept my deepest sympathies. All My Love, Lynette
Nicole Guerra
January 11, 2012
Sharon, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. You are truly a wonderful person, I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through. I am thinking of you everyday. So, so sorry for your loss.
Rob Kunkle
January 10, 2012
Very sorry to hear about Matt. I always enjoyed speaking with him. He was always upbeat. Whenever we would cross paths I liked questioning him on what he was doing at the time, I always knew something positive and encouraging was going to come out of his mouth. He struck me as one who would set his mind to something and just get it done! We were all better people for knowing Matt, even the little I knew him. May God console your family.
Bonnenfant's
January 10, 2012
What a fine young man. Many Tierra Buena and Sutter Area Little League memories. A smile that charmed all and the personality to match. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jacqueline Snodgrass-Howard
January 10, 2012
Sharon and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. My deepest sympathies.
Candy and Steve Smith
January 10, 2012
Shari, Brad, Chris,and Aunt Lucy,
You are in our constant thoughts and prayers. Matt was such a an amazing young man and a bright spot in all of our lives. Please accept our deepest sympathy. All our love.
mary ricketts
January 10, 2012
Brad and Sharon,I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear son, Matthew. Words cannot express the heart ache I felt as Dorothea shared the news with me. May the Lord hold you close during this difficult time. With love, Mary Ricketts
January 10, 2012
I only sincerely "knew" Matt my freshman year. In Mrs.Davies unforgettable English class and Mr. Labaw's class immediately following it. Matt extended the hand of friendship to all and I will never forget his always positive attitude and easy, charming smile. I never write things like this...one hopes they won't ever have to.I cannot believe he's gone. I hope for love, comfort and support for Matt's family and close friends through this difficult time.
Lori Arney
January 10, 2012
I am so very sorry for your loss. As a mother who has also lost a child, my heart goes out to Matthew's parents and loved ones. I know and understand the pain that the loss of a child causes. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
January 10, 2012
Shari and Brad. It breaks my heart to think about what you and your family are going through at this moment. I hope that your memories of all the good times will get you through this time of sarrow. Please accept my heartfelt sympahty for your loss. Carla Reynolds
Alexandra Chandler
January 10, 2012
Tierra Buena School was a brighter place because of Matt Barkley's presence. His smile was a constant sight and his friendship was endless. I can't imagine him gone, spending middle school and high school seated next to him made time fly and made it impossible not to smile along with him. I'll miss him greatly. I keep his family in my thoughts through their rough time dealing with this huge loss. He was a good person and friend.
Derek Noall
January 10, 2012
Matt,
You were one of my very best friends for the first half of my life and even though we went our different ways in high school and college, I will always remember and love you as an amazing friend and the good times that we had in soccer, riding bikes, water gun wars, swimming at your house every summer and so much more. I hope that you're at peace now and you and your family will be in my daily prayers.
I miss you man,
Derek Noall
Ajayab Dhaddey
January 10, 2012
Matt was a great young man.My thouughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. May god help you get through these difficult times.
January 10, 2012
To Matt's family and numerous friends, I am so very sorry for your loss. May you all find comfort in one another during this very difficult time. With deepest sympathy,
Lisa Polonsky-Britt
Bill Harper
January 10, 2012
Sharon and Brad,
We are so sorry to hear of Matt's passing, May God wrap his loving arms around you and the rest of the family, at this very difficult time of loss of your beloved son. A dear young man we will sadly miss.
Our Love, Prayers, and Deepest Sympathy.
Bill and Lavenea Harper
Sherri Tucker
January 10, 2012
Im so sorry for the loss of such a young man who seemed to have so much going for him. His passing will have a sorrowful impact on many. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his abundant circle of friends. My he find peace with our Heavenly Father.
Horacio Paras
January 10, 2012
Sharon & Brad: May the Lord give you the strength to help you through this difficult time. I remember Matt as being a very respectfuly and well mannered your man. He will always be remembered.
The Paras Family
Madeline Stephens
January 10, 2012
Even though I wasnt very close to Matt in highschool or college. When I think about Matt I automatically think of his bright warm smile. He was such a genuine and nice person. My heart broke when I heard of his passing. He had so many friends who loved and cared for him. My thought and prayers are with him and his family.
Sandy Pantaloeni
January 10, 2012
Sending prayers of sorrow and healing to you and your loved ones. Matt touched so many hearts in his life. He will be missed by everyone he met.
Corey Roberts
January 10, 2012
Matt, you have always been one of my best and closest friends. You were a role model to me. You could always brighten up the room anytime you walked in it smiling. I have so many great memories growing up thanks to you. It gives me great joy to have been able to call you my friend and my brother. Nothing has been the same since I heard the news, and it probably never will be. You'll always be in my heart. I love you and miss you already Barks.
Ted and Kim Singh
January 10, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. We will all miss Matt and keep the Tierra Buena memories close to our heart.
The Singh Family,
Ted, Kim, Bryan and Jeff
T.J. Blackwell
January 10, 2012
this man had a great heart, everyday with a smile! it sucks to lose a teammate, but someone had other plans for him! Stay up barks!
January 10, 2012
Matt enriched the lives of ALL who were privileged to know him. We are grateful to have been a part of his life. Katherine Larsen
January 10, 2012
I will always have fond memories of Matt and all the boys on those amazing Friday nights, they are forever embedded in my memory. Matt was always so charming and always had a smile on his face. My heart is broken. Your entire family will be in my prayers. Lisa Roberts
January 10, 2012
Shari and Brad:
We are so sorry to hear about your son. It breaks our heart to think of what you and your family are going through.
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Our prayers will be with you.
Malkit and Judy Johl
January 10, 2012
May words of comfort rest gently upon your heart, and in time may they become words of healing.
~ The Appeal-Democrat Family
Linda Lomeli
January 10, 2012
My heart breaks for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
January 9, 2012
Shari and Brad, there are no words to comfort you at this time but just remember all of us are praying for you.
Kathy Trimble
Cory and Leah Summers
January 9, 2012
Our hearfelt thoughts are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.. We are so sorry for your loss. I remember some good times when Matt ran for President at Tierra Buena and Ryan was Vic President. They did a good job at their student body position.. Matt will be missed my many.
Love Always,
Cory, Leah and Heather Summers
January 9, 2012
Our hearfelt thoughts are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.. We are so sorry for your loss. I remember some good times when Matt ran for President at Tierra Buena and Ryan was Vic President. They did a good job at their student body position.. Matt will be missed my many.
Love Always,
Cory, Leah and Heather Summers
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