Obituary: Matthew Johnson-Beltz

March 25, 1986 – March 16, 2017

Matthew Johnson-Beltz

Matthew Johnson-Beltz, 30, passed away in the company of his family and friends, on March 16, 2017 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.

Matt was born in Cordova on March 25, 1986.

He called Cordova home and lived here most of his life in between exploring the world during his off-season of commercial fishing. Matt loved the great outdoors and spent a lot of time “out the road”, camping, fishing, hiking and hunting. He was a skilled commercial fisherman and a valued crewmember on the family seine boat who served as the cook, deckhand and skiff man. He enjoyed gillnetting on the Copper River Flats and was active on the SERVS Oil Spill Responsive Drills.

In his younger years, he tendered with his dad, Ted Beltz on the “Nushagak Spirit”.

Matthew was born with Cystic Fibrosis, his life-long adversary. He received a new lease on life in 2011 in the form of a double lung-transplant, which he tried to exploit to its fullest. He prevailed in struggles against CF far beyond the professional opinions.

Matt was never one to complain when things got bad for him and he was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand. He was an epic inspiration!

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He sought out to see the world and pursued his dreams by purchasing an RV in 2013 and traveled the country throughout the year. During this time, he also traveled to Africa with his sister Windy where they enjoyed swimming with the Great White Sharks, photo safaris and other once in a lifetime activities while meeting new friends throughout their journey.  Matthew was a friend’s friend who had a kind soul and big heart. He was always loved and respected by all who knew him or were gracious enough to walk alongside him. A beautiful person inside and out and will be greatly missed by everyone. With much sorrow, we all say goodbye.

Matthew is survived by his brothers Jeremy Johnson and Matt Gardner, Sisters Windy Johnson-Jensen, Misty Johnson-Roberts, step-dad Gordon Jensen, the Jamie & Kelly Atwood family and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Ted Beltz, grandparents Lavern and Patricia Johnson and Jack & Julie Beltz.

A Celebration of Life potluck for Matthew and his mother Debbie is planned for the 17th of May, 2017 at the Moose Lodge from 1-4 p.m.

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