Matthew graduated from Nashwauk-Keewatin High School in 2004 and joined the US Marine Corps in 2006. He was extremely proud to have served his country with all of his fellow Marines.

Matt was assigned to the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team and deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Guam and Japan where he climbed Mt. Fuji.

He served aboard the USS Lassen (DDG82) and received a Certificate of Initiation into the Ancient Order of the Shellbacks after crossing the equator. They made goodwill stops in Dili, Timor Leste and Bali, Indonesia. He also participated in Joint Exercises in Yokosuka, Japan and Pohang, South Korea.

Matthew was then assigned to the Personnel Security Detachment of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division - "The First of The First". He received training through the US Department of State in Diplomatic Security Service Protective Security and was assigned to Personal Security Duty.

In September of 2010, Matt deployed for 12 months to Afghanistan where he and Regimental Combat Team 1, a small group of 26 hand picked Marines, escorted the Regimental Colonel, the Sergeant Major and other Diplomatic Officials to and from various parts of the Helmand Province.

After returning from Afghanistan, Matt spent another 4 years on inactive duty, and though he struggled with his own demons, he always found the strength to persevere.

Matt's daughters, Brealyn and Maddy, were his North Star and the most important thing in his life. The girls came before anything or anyone else. He was so proud to be their dad and took every chance he was allowed to see and spend time with them. Ever since they were born, he held them... His strong hands held them steady when they learned to stand, then walk and when they learned to do headstands and ride their bikes all by themselves.

He made them laugh, dried their tears and fixed the hurts. Though he only held their hands for a little while, he will always hold their hearts. Family was something Matt was fiercely dedicated to and defended.

Matt genuinely loved helping people and was always quick to lend a hand. He wasn't afraid of a hard day's work and he never quit. He cared about how others felt, lifting spirits wherever he went. He loved pulling pranks on family and friends and he was damn good at it too.

After Metal Technologies/Northern Foundry closed its doors and he lost his job, Matt began enrolling in the paramedic course and was nearly set to start in September of this year. He then intended to continue on to fire fighting.

Matthew truly was a thoughtful and loving son, brother, father, uncle and friend. He was selfless to a fault. His bright eyes and welcoming smile will be forever missed on this earth, but the fire of his spirit will burn forever in our hearts and souls. Rest now, my son.

Matthew is survived by his mother, sister Jessa Lee Metzer (Forest Johnson) and nephews Jayden Matthew Poorker and Caius Anthony Metzer, niece Jersey Grace Emanuel, daughters Brealyn Rose and Madelyn Lee-Ann Metzer, brother Christopher (Courtney), nephews Anthony and DeAndre and niece Alexis Metzer, sister Kristina (Lyle), nephew Jayce and niece Brooklynn Hartley, five aunts Sandi (Lonny) Gervais, Debbie Carter, Julie (Kurt) Fondrick, Mitzi (Andy) Gregg and Marianne Metzer, two uncles Charles Carter and Rob (Georgeann) Metzer and step-mother Michele (Jim) Nehl, grandmother Doris (Harold) (LaDoux-Metzer) Meintsma, many cousins, Marine Corps Brothers and longtime friends, including Ray Davidson, a long-time friend and man he looked up to and respected, the whole 412 Brickyard family and Jeremy (Sam) Gustafson, where Matt and Nala, his dog he raised from a pup, had a second home. Matt called Jeremy "brother" and Jer has now taken Nala into their home and given her a family.

Matt was preceded in death by his father Tony "Skidder", two grandfathers Bob W. Carter and Frank Metzer, grandmother DeLoris E. Carter, two uncles Edward "Buck" Carter and Bobbie "Weeg" Carter, step-grandparents Paul and Patricia Tekautz and far too many Marine Corps Brothers and friends.

A celebration of life and luncheon will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Keewatin Community Center from 10:00 a.m. into the evening. Military Honors will be performed at noon.

A private gathering will be held at a future date at the Lakeview Cemetery in Coleraine, Minn.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Mesabi Tribune on Aug. 17, 2024.