Matthew Steven Truax

Matthew Steven Truax, 16, passed away September 13, 2013 in the emergency room at Swedish Hospital in Edmonds, WA. Matthew had collapsed while running in his PE class at Meadowdale High School. School, paramedic, and hospital staff made every effort but were unable to revive him. Following his death, it was discovered that he had the condition Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, an enlargement of his heart. He was born September 18, 1996 in Edmonds, the son of Jerry and Melinda (Ybarra) Truax. Matthew was happy, kind, funny, loyal, and soft spoken. He had a gentle heart and a wonderful, contagious smile. His life revolved around family, friends, school, and sports in the Meadowdale area. He began playing soccer at the age of 5 with the Sno-King Youth club. The following year he added basketball and then baseball with Pacific Little League, playing all three sports for several years before settling on soccer and snowboarding as his favorites. He enjoyed winning, but he cared most about being on a team with friends. He was looking forward to the season with the Earthquakes, and shredding the slopes at Stevens Pass. Matthew also loved the beaches and waters of Puget Sound. As a family, many of our happiest times have been onboard our sailboat in the summer, lazily cruising the local waters. During middle school, Matthew had a couple great learning experiences, doing a science and sailing expedition in the San Juan Islands, and travelling to Washington, DC with teachers and friends. In the summer of 2012, he and his brother Michael saw the 4 th of July fireworks in Hawaii. For Spring Break 2013 he and his Mom went to California, visited family, friends, and had a blast at Magic Mountain. And this past summer, he was able to experience the majesty of the Grand Canyon, get his first car, and have a great time hanging out with his friends. Matthews goal for his Junior year in High School was to achieve a 4.0 GPA. He wanted to go on to Western Washington University after graduating, following in his brother Michaels footsteps. Matthew was preceded in death by his grandparents Jesse and Lavretta Truax, Joe and Evelyn Ybarra, and his Aunt Teresa McIntosh. He is survived by his parents and his beloved brother Michael Truax, who he looked up to and admired, and his aunt, uncles and cousins. Also left behind are the hundreds of friends, parents, teachers and others who gathered together at Meadowdale High School to pray and share memories of him. His time with us was truly a gift to be treasured. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider an online donation in Matthews memory to The Nick of Time Foundation at href=http://www.nickoftimefoundation.org/ www.nickoftimefoundation.org . Announcement: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider an online donation in Matthews memory to The Nick of Time Foundation at href=http://www.nickoftimefoundation.org/ www.nickoftimefoundation.org.