Matthew Steven Keck

KECK, Matthew Steven

Age 36, of Pleasant Valley, CA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 21, 2006.

Matt was born in El Dorado County on January 21, 1970. Matt knew and loved the land here in Northern California. He rolled through it on his bicycle. He trekked through it with his bow. He took in views of its coastline as he fished its waters. Always he invited others to enjoy it with him. That invitation could mean simply casting on a calm lake, or being dragged up a mountain ravine by him in the course of a hunt. He could set a mean pace, but Matt knew when the group needed a rest. He knew when to appreciate the quiet and wait for the weary. Matt took one corner of this land and made it a place of learning for his family. A working ranch with cattle, bees, and vineyards; it was more about the lessons than the livestock. Lessons for himself and for his family that could be learned by working and walking the land.

Matt was a firefighter. Moreover, the fire service was Matt's second family. At around sixteen years old, he started doing odd jobs around the fire station after school. By 1991 he had become a full-time Firefighter. Matt dedicated himself to developing the fire skills needed to serve effectively. He sought an assignment to the busy Placerville station hoping he would have even more opportunities to serve the public. Last year Matt was promoted from Engineer to the rank of Captain. In his role as a paramedic Matt displayed both expert medical knowledge and human compassion. His careful preparation allowed him to translate genuine concern for the needy into decisive action. Matt especially enjoyed helping new paramedics train for similar service.

Matt's family was everything to him. As a son, a brother, and a grandson, Matt viewed the world through the lens of family. As husband to his sweetheart, Matt's appreciation for this life's purpose became even more focused when his own children were born, and he and Brandi established a home of love and faith. Matt will be dearly missed by his family and by those friends that he generously treated as extended family. We will miss Matt's clear speaking and direct style. He often became the "conscience" of the group - always willing to speak the truth kindly, but plainly.

Matt is survived by his wife of 13 years, Brandi; his three children, Grace, Jordan, and Dalton; his mother, Judy Hamner and husband, Tom; his father, Chuck Keck and wife, Pat; his brothers, Mark, Michael and wife, Michelle, and Jonathon; his sister, Amanda Harbert and husband, John; grandparents, Don and Lorene Kinyon; and many other loving in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 10:00am at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 3431 Hacienda Rd, Cameron Park, CA with Bishop Roger Thompson officiating. There will be a graveside service at Green Valley Cemetery immediately following the memorial. Arrangements are by Green Valley Mortuary.