David W Matthewman
David Matthewman Obituary
David W. Matthewman was born in Miami, Florida and was tragically and senselessly killed at the young age of 34 in Palm Beach County, Florida. David was driving his car safely in the early morning hours of Friday, March 29, 2024, heading north in the northbound I-95 express lane near Boca Raton with his friend, Jasi, in his car. David and the young woman were both wearing their seatbelts, but a reckless wrong-way driver recklessly came driving southbound in the I-95 northbound express lane and violently crashed head-on into David’s car. David was instantly killed, the young woman seated next to him was killed, and the wrong-way driver died. This unfathomable, senseless, and preventable tragedy not only killed David and Jasi, but it has also devastated David’s entire close-knit family and the countless other people whose lives he had touched.
David was an incredibly talented artist, ceramicist, and photographer who had just returned from the NCECA 58th Annual Coalescence Ceramics Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. David often worked his artistic magic at the West Palm Beach Armory Art Center and at other art venues in South Florida. He provided hands-on ceramics classes to families, to military veterans, and to others. He created beautiful pottery and works of art. He always saw beauty in the smallest details in life. David also made incredible drone videos for real estate and other uses. David was a wonderful, kind, generous, talented young man with an incredibly beautiful soul. David graduated from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2008, where he was a cross country varsity athlete, and from Florida Atlantic University in 2013 with dual degrees in Studio Art and Criminal Justice. He was doing so well and was so very happy when he was tragically and senselessly taken far too soon from this earth.
David was the beautiful and much-loved son of Judge William Matthewman and Diane Matthewman of Highland Beach, Florida. David leaves behind his brother Scott W. Matthewman (Careni Lopez) of Inglis, Florida and their two children Reef and Kai, his sister Kelly D. Matthewman of Tega Cay, South Carolina, his brother Mark Matthewman (Joeylyn) and their daughter Avie of Brooksville, Florida, his uncle Keith Seidon of Fort Lauderdale and his son Michael, his uncle James Matthewman, Jr., (Marlene) and their children, Jimmy, Shawn, and Barbara Ann, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and relatives spread throughout the country. David was predeceased by his Aunt Sue Concha (Matthewman) and her son Stephen Melus, his uncle Robert F. Matthewman, his “Grandma Rosie”, Rose O. Phelan (Matthewman), his “Grandma Nana”, Dolores Seidon, his Grandfather Arnold Seidon, his Grandfather James S. Matthewman, Sr., and his step Grandfathers James S. Phelan, and Gary Weisenthal.
David was a very spiritual soul who loved the ocean, the beach, kayaking, sea turtles, snorkeling, running, and biking. Growing up he ran many 5K, 10K and other longer races with his Dad, brother, sister and Mom. He was also a hockey player and loved to watch Florida Panthers games with his Dad. He was very sweet to his Mom, often stopping by unexpectedly with orchids, pottery, coral and other treasures he had made or obtained.
On Thursday evening March 28, 2024 around 9:00 p.m. David texted his Dad to say that he was back in town and coming over for dinner that weekend with news and pictures to share. His last words to his Dad that fateful evening were “I love you,” and the last words back to David from his Dad were “I love you too”. Approximately 6 hours later, early on Friday, March 29, 2024, David was dead on I-95. Please pray for David’s soul, hug your loved ones, and teach them to drive safe and sober.
David’s family will receive friends on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Celebration of Life service at the Gary Panoch Funeral Home, 6140 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487. No formal burial will follow as David’s ashes will be placed at a later date into an environmentally friendly living reef which will be placed offshore of South Florida, with his family present, as he would have wanted. David also donated his organs to help others after death, as was his way in life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, https://canvas.armoryart.org/donate.
Professional arrangements by:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, https://canvas.armoryart.org/donate.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David W Matthewman, please visit our floral store.
