Matthew Carl Becker, 41, passed away Wednesday, March 13th, 2024. There are many things that describe Matt or Matthew, “accordin’ to where you’re from,” but altruistic is what seems to fit best. Matthew was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky to Jeff Becker and Georgia Carl on July 25th, 1982. Raised on a dairy/tobacco farm in Nicholas County, Kentucky, he learned how to work hard for the things you have and even harder for the things you want.
Matt graduated from Nicholas County High School in 2001 and left for San Antonio, Texas to begin the first part of his career in the United States Air Force. A chosen field of firefighting was fitting for a man of selflessness, high energy, and off-center sense of humor. Matt’s duty station was Holloman AFB, New Mexico, as well as multiple deployments to the middle east during his four years of active duty.
While out west, Matthew met the love of a lifetime, a Texas girl, Charlee. They were engaged after just six months of dating and married (8/7/2004) a day before the first anniversary of their first date (a Pat Green concert). After separating from the Air Force, Matt and Charlee had a brief stint back in Kentucky before Matt was given the opportunity to serve our country in a different capacity as a civilian firefighter back at Holloman. Matthew always loved traveling, even if it was just a short weekend road trip, so when the chance came to move to Northwest Florida in 2007, he took it. He told Charlee they were moving near Disney World, which sounded fine to her, although not accurate, but it turns out these emerald waters near Eglin AFB were much better! That was Matt, not sure of all the details, but willing to give (almost) anything a try, because “it’ll be alright.”
June 3rd, 2009, Matt became the best version of himself, a father to Braddock Ryan, and again July 27th, 2012, to Claire Regan. His wife and children were the most important things in his life, and he made sure everyone knew it. A protector, provider, mentor, leader, son, brother, coach, friend—the list goes on. If Matt considered you a friend, you we’re family to him, and he loved harder than anyone ever could. It was like a competition for him, which makes sense as big of a sports fanatic as he was.
The last few years of his life Matt found a passion for helping veterans get the benefits and services they deserve. With a hand-picked small group of people he founded VA Claim Fighter, a company that is driven by the peace and joy veterans get when they can finally afford to buy groceries without using a calculator or get their mental health or medical needs met.
Matthew was preceded in death by daughter, Sarah Jayne Becker (2011); maternal grandfathers: James E. Carl (1918-1979), Galen Pelster (1928-2004), Lucian W. Johns (1926-2015); maternal grandmother, Sue Carl Pelster (1936-2018); step-father, Charles L. Taulbee (1955-2018); paternal grandmother, Jane Letcher Becker (1930-1992); paternal grandfather, Jack Becker (1931-2022); and bonus mother, Shirley R. Vice (1946-2016).
Matt leaves behind his wife of 19 years Charlee, son Braddock (14), daughter Claire (11), mother Georgia Taulbee, father Jeff (Sharon) Becker, sisters Alicia Becker, Holly Becker, and Shawna (Greg) Hatton, brothers Kyle (Heather) Vice and Robert (Lena) Manby, mother in law Dixie (Ronald) Guthrie, brother in law Chason Miller, sisters in law Tina (Pat) Kemp and Michelle Snider, nieces and nephew Melanie Hatton, Jacob Hatton, Macey Vice, Shelby Vice, Alexandra Manby, and Adeline Manby. Matt was also blessed with several bonus siblings, bonus nieces, bonus nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also leaves behind the brotherhood of fellow firefighters at Eglin Fire and Emergency Services and those he has served with along the way, for whom his family is forever grateful. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite veteran, firefighter, or youth sports charity. Remember— “Heyy mannn!!” We will see him again one day.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at West Gate Chapel, 3005 Eglin Blvd. Eglin AFB, Florida 32542 with Pastor Joshua Neel officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at West Gate Chapel.
*Anyone wishing to attend the service for Matt is welcome to meet at Brackney Funeral Service 480 East James Lee Blvd. Crestview, Florida 32539, at 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, to process to the West Gate Chapel on Eglin AFB. Otherwise, you will need to go to the west gate (Shalimar) for a pass to the chapel.
West Gate Chapel
West Gate Chapel
Fay Caswell
March 19, 2024, 9:03 pm
Matthew was a wonderful Moorefield, Ky young man that grew up with my son. He was always so polite(Mr and Mrs) . He was definitely a wonderful family man. May he rest n peace (he deserves it).
Fay Caswell
March 19, 2024, 9:17 pm
Matthew, May u rest n peace. U were a wonderful young man from Moorefield, Ky.
Ron Guthrie
March 19, 2024, 11:19 pm
Matt, my son-in-law, was a young man who I love with all my heart.I respect and cherish him and what a great perso, husband and father he was. I feel like I lost a son.We’ll miss you son. Blessings
J N
March 19, 2024, 11:53 pm
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Matthew but if I may give A Shout Out and A Salute to who sounded like a wonderful person with many Titles. Mrs.Becker and children thoughts are with you.
Connie Taulbee Byrd
March 20, 2024, 1:40 am
Matthew you were the best bonus nephew a Aunt could ever ask for, you are going to be so missed by all, fly high now and rest in peace, we’ll see you again one day, until then you and Charles keep watch over us all, we love you Matthew. Charlee I’ll be thinking about you and the kids, your in our prayers for all the days ahead of you during this time of grief.
Mary Slawson
March 20, 2024, 6:02 am
I watched your love bloom when dating and had the pleasure of seeing you get married. Matt was such a wonderful soul and he will be missed by so many. The world lost a great husband, father and hero to many. May you rest in peace Matt and watch over your beautiful family. Charlee I cannot be there to hug you and the kids but know I am sending hugs and prayers your way. Love you all. Mary and Morgan Slawson
J. Alan Sapp, MBA
March 20, 2024, 3:35 pm
Some people you meet in life, even meeting only months ago can have a life altering effect! Matt was just that! He helped to change my life and I’m forever grateful!
Keith Gardner
March 20, 2024, 9:33 pm
Mrs Charlee, Braddock and Claire
We are saddened to hear of your husband’s passing 🙏
We are keeping you in our prayers,
The Gardner Family, Keith, Debbie and Wesley
Dhani-Sinaan Harris
March 21, 2024, 6:48 am
Matthew may you rest in peace & power, King. Though we did not meet officially, I was absolutely blessed to meet your precious gemstone of a Wife and two perfect angelic children during my time volunteering at Children in Crisis alongside Charlee—some of the BEST memories of my life so far. And through those memories and interactions with your beautiful family, I feel like we’ve known each other for years. You will be horribly missed just like how I am missing my Mother whom I also just loss unexpectedly 10 months ago. You two actually have so many incredible qualities in common— from your selflessness and sacrifice to your strength & resilience. And I find it no coincidence at all that you both even share the same Birthday. I am truly humbled, grateful & honored to serve in the Air Force knowing a literal reflection of my mother has paved a pathway for me to follow—that is you. Matthew, Charlee, Braddock & Claire—I love you all with every bit of my heart. Sending endless peace, love, hugs, protection & healing prayers.
– Dhani-Sinaan Harris
Patricia Christian
March 21, 2024, 2:05 pm
Where do I start? Some people you meet start off as acquaintances and others become family. Matt, Charlee Redd, Braddock and Claire Bear are family. I am beyond blessed to have encountered this wonderful family on this journey we call life. Matt take your rest my brother. Thanks for being Uncle Matt to Kamari. We will miss you💙 still in shock
Love always, The Christian Family
Nate, Pat & Kamari
Dorothy Woosley
March 22, 2024, 1:56 am
So sorry. Prayers for the family. Matthew was a very special person. I guess I can say that I knew him all his life as I worked with both his grandmother and mother. I last saw Matthew in Kentucky at the Moorefield store. He paid for my purchase. We talked for a while. May God Bless you all.
Nick C
March 22, 2024, 10:43 am
Matt was a great friend and neighbor. He was also willing to help. My wife would always call him and ask if he could spot me when I would climb the giant tree in our yard to take care of a busted limb and I know it gave her peace of mind. He was always will to help me improvise when I didn’t have the right tool for the job, we figured out how to get it done! I will never forgot the armadillo. God’s speed, until we meet again.
Stefanie Odom
March 22, 2024, 12:45 pm
The entire Becker Family welcomed an loved my son Isaiah as if he was there own. The home was filled with love. We know this is a hard time an we’re praying, an close by if you need us. We love you guys
Jason Karras
March 22, 2024, 5:06 pm
Matt, you were such a great neighbor. I’ll never forget the day I had the Armadillo in my back yard. You wrangled that bad boy up and we went out to the range and set him free. You’ll be missed my friend.
John D.
March 26, 2024, 5:06 pm
I had the privilege to know Matt, as we both were in the same graduating class at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy. “Desire to Serve, Ability to Perform and Courage to Act” was what Matt exemplified. You’ll be missed.