Carl Christensen

Carl Matthew Christensen

October 2, 1979 ~ November 20, 2018

On November 20, 2018 heaven gained a beautiful soul. Carl Matthew Christensen went to dance with the angels, while in his sleep at home. Matthew was brought into this world on October 2, 1979 at Hill AFB Hospital.

At a very young age it was discovered that Matthew was one of Heavenly Father’s special children, but that didn’t stop him from living life to the fullest. Matthew attended school in Washington and Utah. He received his Certificate of Completion from Fremont High School in 1999. He then attended Ben Lomond High School to receive additional special education instruction until he turned 22. In June 2002, Matthew started at Danville Services Day Program where he worked, did activities in the community, and hung out with his friends. Todd and I would like to thank his job coach Ilo Tufele, and the rest of the staff at Danville, for the love and care they provided throughout his years there.

Matthew’s special needs were very hard to handle so his parents made the difficult decision to put him into specialized foster care. Matthew lived with a few families until May 1999 where he found his forever home and his forever parents, Todd and Pattie Cook. They may have had the title of Host Home Provider with the state but Matthew was their son in every sense of the word. Matthew and Todd had such an unbreakable bond which usually meant they were up to some sort of mischief so Pattie would have to be the one to keep her boys under control.

Matthew taught Todd and Pattie to love country music and Todd taught Matthew to love AC/DC. Matthew, Todd, and Pattie attended country music concerts, basketball, baseball, and hockey games together, and even got to go to the Price if Right when it came to Salt Lake City. Matthew also loved attending fun centers where he could play video games and ride in the go karts with Todd.

Matthew had many staff throughout the years but Amber Johnson and Lauren Wilkes were among his favorites. They were always up to taking Matthew anywhere! For many years Matthew had an amazing respite provider, Kim Arthurs. Kim, her husband Donovan, and their kids and grandkids loved Matthew so much and treated him as part of the family.

Besides country music Matthew loved the Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right – Matthew had the amazing ability of being able to make the sounds of the spinning wheels on both shows. Matthew also loved Jeopardy and Family Feud. Matthew loved watching super hero movies, Spider Man was his favorite, as well as Scooby Doo, Star Wars, and Richard Simmons Sweatin’ to the Oldies exercise videos. Matthew loved collecting Matchbox cars!

Matthew is survived by Todd’s parents, Michael and Phyllis Cook; his siblings; Pattie’s parents, John and Margaret Tracy; and her brother. He is also survived by his biological sisters, Taunya (Russell) Campbell of Rigby, Idaho and Jennifer Durbin of Clearfield, Utah. He was preceded in death by his biological parents, Ardell Carl Christensen and Dorothy Cox Wilkerson; and his grandparents, Dick Cox, Lenna Johnson Cox, and Wendall Christensen.

Matthew was loved beyond words by many people and we all know that we have an amazing angel dressed as a super hero watching over us, so to honor him we are asking that everyone wear a super hero shirt to his services.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers we are asking everyone to bring a new toy so that they may be donated to the children of Ogden City School District in memory of Matthew.