Utah Dad of 4 Killed by Lightning While Helping Stranded Boaters—His 9-Year-Old’s Heartbreaking Question

Image: GoFund Me

Utah Dad of 4 Killed by Lightning While Helping Stranded Boaters—His 9-Year-Old’s Heartbreaking Question

A family is grieving the sudden loss of a devoted husband and father whose final actions reflected something those who loved him say defined his life: helping others.

Steve Matheson, a 41-year-old Utah father of four, died after being struck by lightning near Florida’s Fort De Soto on Saturday, Aug. 30. What began as an extra day in Florida with a childhood friend ended in a tragedy that has left his wife, children, extended family, friends, and community trying to comprehend an unimaginable loss.

Steve had reportedly stayed in Florida for an additional day following a work conference so he could spend time with his friend. Before heading out on the water, they checked the weather. When they noticed a storm beginning to move into the area, they made the decision to head back.

But on their way in, they encountered another boat that had broken down. Steve stopped to help. For those who knew him, that decision was entirely consistent with the man he had always been.

His cousin, Marianne Matheson Shuman, described Steve as someone who lived a life of service and was willing to help virtually anyone even a stranger. Tragically, while helping the stranded boaters, Steve was struck by lightning.

Off-duty paramedics who witnessed what happened reportedly rushed to help him immediately. Despite their efforts, Steve’s family believes that he was killed on impact.

In a matter of moments, a wife lost her husband, four children lost their father, and a community lost a man remembered for giving so much of himself to others.

Who’s Going to Play Catch With Me?

There are moments when the innocence of a child expresses grief more powerfully than almost anything an adult could say. For Steve’s 9-year-old son, that moment came when he learned that his dad was gone. According to Marianne, the little boy asked one heartbreaking question:

“Who’s going to play catch with me?”

It is such a simple question, yet behind those few words is an enormous loss. Playing catch may seem like an ordinary part of childhood. But to a child, those ordinary moments with Dad can become some of life's greatest treasures.

Steve wasn't remembered as a father who simply provided for his children. He was remembered as a dad who was there. “He was very involved,” Marianne said, explaining that Steve was the kind of father who would drop everything for his kids. Those are the moments children remember.

• The games in the yard.
• The conversations in the car.
• The practices.
• The hugs.
• The jokes.

The times Dad showed up when nobody else did. His son's question reminds us that love is often built through seemingly ordinary moments that we may not fully appreciate until they are gone.

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A Family’s World Turned Upside Down

Steve leaves behind his wife, Abbie, and their four children. Marianne said the family's world has been “turned upside down” by his sudden death.

His older children have been talking about their father and, according to Marianne, find comfort in believing that he is in heaven. Understanding death is difficult enough for adults. For children, the finality of losing a parent can be almost impossible to grasp.

For Christians, moments like these can also bring some of the hardest questions of faith.

• Why did this happen?
• Why did someone trying to help others die?
• Why would a loving family have to experience something so painful?

Scripture does not tell us that following God will shield us from every tragedy. In fact, the Bible repeatedly shows faithful people walking through grief, suffering and circumstances they could not understand.

But Scripture does give us a promise in the middle of heartbreak:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

God does not ask grieving people to pretend that their hearts aren't broken. Jesus Himself wept at the death of Lazarus.

Grief and faith are not opposites. Sometimes faith simply means holding onto God when we don't have answers.

A Man Remembered for Faith and Service

Steve's family remembers him as a man of faith, but they also remember a man who put that faith into action through the way he treated people.

He was deeply involved in his community and coached local youth football teams. He invested his time not only in his own children but also in the lives of young people around him.

Marianne remembered him as someone who “loved big,” served others and seemed to bring light into the places he entered.

There is something profoundly Christian about a life characterized by service. Jesus taught:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Mark 12:31

• Sometimes loving our neighbor happens in a church.
• Sometimes it happens around the dinner table.
• Sometimes it means coaching a child's football team.

And sometimes it means stopping your own journey because someone else's boat has broken down. Steve could not have known what was about to happen when he stopped to help those stranded boaters. He simply saw people who needed assistance and responded.

That final act of service now carries an especially powerful meaning for those remembering his life.

One Last Sunday Dinner

About a week before Steve's death, Marianne saw her cousin at a Sunday family dinner. At the time, there was no reason to believe it would be their last gathering together.

Looking back, however, something about that day stands out. Steve kept telling his family how much he loved them. He hugged them. He said, “I love you guys.”

And then he said it again.

Marianne recalled that Steve had always been good about expressing his love, but that particular Sunday, he seemed to do it even more. Today, those words have become precious memories.

None of us knows when an ordinary goodbye may become a final goodbye. That doesn't mean Christians should live afraid of tomorrow. It means we should recognize the value of today.

• Tell your family you love them.
• Give the hug.
• Make the phone call.
• Forgive.
• Play catch with your child.
• Sit down for dinner together.
• Pray together.
• Don't continually postpone the moments that matter most.

James 4:14 reminds us that life is “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

That truth isn't meant to make us fearful. It can remind us to live intentionally, to love God and love people while we have the opportunity.

The Legacy We Leave Behind

A family friend created a GoFundMe to support Steve's loved ones following his death, and by Wednesday, Sept. 2, more than $94,000 had reportedly been raised.

The generosity is one indication of how many people have been touched by this family's loss. But Steve's greatest legacy won't be measured in dollars. It will be found in four children who knew their dad loved them. It will be remembered by a wife who shared a life with him.

It will live in the memories of relatives who can still hear him saying, “I love you guys.” It will be remembered by young athletes he coached. And it will remain in the stories of the people he helped.

Steve's 9-year-old son's heartbreaking question; “Who's going to play catch with me?” is also a reminder to every parent reading this.

Our children may not remember every gift we bought them.

They may not remember how clean the house was or how many hours we worked.

• But they will remember whether we were there.
• They'll remember the catch in the backyard.
• They'll remember Dad sitting in the stands.
• They'll remember Mom listening to their stories.

They'll remember the hugs, laughter, prayers and ordinary afternoons that didn't seem important at the time. Those ordinary moments become a life.

Hope in the Middle of Heartbreak

At Gods411, stories like Steve's remind us why prayer matters so deeply.

There are no perfect words capable of removing the pain his wife and children are experiencing. We shouldn't try to explain away grief with easy answers. Instead, we can do what Scripture calls believers to do:

“Mourn with those who mourn.” — Romans 12:15

• We can pray.
• We can support.
• We can remember.

And we can trust that God is near even in the moments when His presence is difficult to understand. For Steve's family, the days ahead will contain many painful firsts, the first holidays, birthdays, games and family gatherings without him.

There may also be a little boy who picks up a baseball and remembers the dad who used to stand across from him. May that child always know how deeply his father loved him.

And may Steve's entire family find strength in their faith, comfort in their memories, and a community willing to surround them for the long road ahead.

A Prayer for Steve Matheson's Family

Heavenly Father,

We lift Steve's wife, Abbie, their four children, and everyone grieving this heartbreaking loss before You.

Lord, there are moments when words are simply not enough. Please draw especially close to this family as they walk through a pain they never expected to face.

Comfort Steve's children when they miss their dad. When they remember his voice, his hugs, his laughter, the games they played and the moments they shared, let those memories become treasures they carry throughout their lives.

Please surround Abbie with strength, peace and people who will faithfully stand beside her in the days, months and years ahead.

Thank You for every life Steve touched through his family, his faith, his coaching, his friendship and his willingness to serve others.

When this family feels overwhelmed by grief, remind them of Your promise that You are close to the brokenhearted.

Give them strength for today, grace for tomorrow and hope when the road ahead feels impossible.

May Steve's story also remind each of us not to take the people we love for granted. Help us say “I love you” while we have the opportunity, serve others when we see a need, forgive quickly, hold our families close and make time for the moments that truly matter.

Lord, wrap this grieving family in Your love and carry them through the days ahead.

In Jesus' name, Amen.