Matthew Alexander Smock

Matthew Alexander Smock, 28, passed away Saturday, January 8, 2011.

Matthew was born March 15, 1982, in San Jose, CA, the youngest of seven children. He spent most of his youth in Oregon, where he grew up camping, riding dirt and BMX bikes, and serving as a member of the Boy Scouts. Matthew graduated from Grants Pass High School with the Class of 2000. He helped out in the family construction business and worked as a foreman on the construction of the Bay Bridge in California. He was a July 2001 graduate of the College of Oceaneering in San Pedro, CA, and following his love of surfing and the ocean, Matthew came to the Gulf of Mexico as a commercial diver. He was dedicated to his work and was considered a top performer who was well-respected in his industry.

Matthew lived for his family, whom he dearly loved. He leaves behind his wife, Olivia; daughters, Kierra and Kaziah Smock; sons, Wylie Wren and Zane Smock; parents, Dennis and Michelle Smock; sisters: Kelli Riddle and husband, Jim; Kimi Gaskell; Kristi Rothbardt and husband, Mitch; and Kathi Delay and husband, Mark; brothers, Dennis (Bud) Smock and Jeff Smock; father-in-law, Randy Wytcherley and wife, Sheri; mother-in-law, Annalisa Pike and husband, Richard; 22 nieces and nephews; 1 great niece; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Royston, Tim Clark, Mike Kanga, David Moorefield, Ben Wells, and Andre Adams.

Memorials may be made to Hope for the Warriors, PMB 48, 1335 Suite E, Western Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28546, or to the Offshore Diver Widow’s and Children’s Fund, offshorediver.com.

A celebration of Matt’s life will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, January 15, 2011at Parkway Christian Center, 229 NE Beacon Drive, Grants Pass. A reception will be held from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 1969 Williams Highway, Grants Pass.

Matthew’s family will be putting together a backpack of mementos that will be cremated with Matt. They are requesting that friends bring a special item or photo to contribute to the backpack. They will also be creating a memory book for each of Matt’s children. Please contribute a photo or write a letter to Matt and either bring them with you to the celebration of his life or mail them to Kathi Delay, 4744 Longmont Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 so that they may be included in the memory book.