Don E. Matthews
A graveside service will be held on
Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 1:00pm
Glen Eden Lutheran Memorial Park
35667 Eight Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152
Don Matthews, or Sparky to most people, was born on March 28, 1969 in Detroit, Michigan and departed this living world on August 6, 2021 at his and his husbands first home together in Howell, Michigan.
Don was a burst of energy, warmth, and giving to anyone that met him. His generous spirit exploded forth, much like the fireworks that he loved to shoot with his and his husband’s display fireworks company, Defying Gravity Fireworks. He always made sure that people were taken care of and wanted nothing in return. If he found out a child was not going to have a good Christmas, he would make sure that the family would have the most amazing Christmas ever. He went without to make sure others had plenty.
Don worked hard, sometimes up from nothing, to become the CEO/CFO of an apartment company in the Houston, Texas area. His properties, and their accompanying residents, were his world. He treated each property like it was his own home. Whether that be a world of color with flowers every spring and summer, the spookiest decorations at Halloween time, or the most amazing, vibrant, and innovative Christmas decorations, which was his absolute most favorite time of the year. Disney and Hines Park had nothing on a Matthews Family display. As previously mentioned, fireworks were a passion rivaled only by his Christmas displays. He loved doing grand public displays for his high school’s homecoming, local towns, and for every holiday, the residents of his properties. They never had to travel far for a spectacular show of pyrotechnics.
There were two people who were the light, life, and love of Don’s eye. His husband, Michael Matthews, age 40, and his niece, Savanna Steagall aka Little Miss, age 12. Those two people were who he made sure nothing was ever wanted for, nothing would or ever harm, or even had to worry about. He loved both unconditionally and would gladly take their place for any hurt or sadness. His love of family was so strong, and he always believed blood didn’t make family, love and caring made the family. If you were blood, that just made the familiar blood even stronger. His step-father Marvin Wright, can attest this as he was the main father figure in Don’s life.
Don’s family remaining on this earth until they can follow him to Heaven are his husband Michael Matthews, age 40, his brother Tommy Steagall, age 48, his sister-in-law Brenda Steagall, age 43, his niece Savanna Steagall, age 12, and his step father Marvin Wright, age 59. He is proceeded in passing by his father, Donald Steagall, passed 1994, and his mother, Cheryl Wright, passed 1999. But past this, he is survived by the hundreds of other family, friends, residents, and sometimes even complete strangers that he counted as family throughout the years. If Don knew you, you were touched by an angel, and just about every person would say that exact same thing. He was here, burned bright and fast, and was taken too soon. But as an angel in Heaven now, Don can help as many people as he can without boundaries, borders, and limitations.
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to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Don E. (Steagall) Matthews, please visit our floral store.
