8/25/1986 – 11/11/2024
Lawrence
Matthew Thomas Gish, 38, passed away on November 11, 2024 at his home at Midnight Farm in Douglas County.
Matt was born August 25, 1986 in Lawrence. He had Down Syndrome, and faced a number of challenges in his life with a positive disposition.
He was the oldest of four children of Steve and Bobbie Gish of Lawrence. He attended Hillcrest Elementary, Quail Run Elementary, Southwest Junior High and Free State High School. He also attended summer school at Lawrence High School. He benefitted immensely from being mainstreamed with the general student population and looked forward to school each day.
Matt loved to swim, both in the pool and in the ocean. He loved his stuffed animals, particularly Winnie the Pooh, and also had an affinity for clocks, music boxes and Disney movies. He also loved the various Gish family cats over the years. His family traveled extensively and Matt went on numerous vacations with them, including trips to Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Washington, D.C. and Disney World.
Matt lived at Midnight Farm, a Goodlife Innovations Family Teaching Home in rural Douglas County for 10 years, until his passing. He made regular weekday visits to Cottonwood over 17 years, where he befriended fellow clients and caregivers.
His siblings, Kristen Gish, Caroline Gish and Michael Gish, loved him deeply. They were there to share both his good days and challenging days over his too short life. He also leaves behind two aunts, two uncles, five cousins and four second cousins.
Matt was friendly, kind, affectionate and sweet. He was also occasionally salty, but who isn’t? His last day with his parents was the day before he passed away. He was in a great mood, enjoying the day in Lawrence.
Matt was an incredible blessing to his family, truly a gift from God. May he rest in peace.
The family will have a private ceremony in the Spring.
Donations in Matt’s memory may be made to Goodlife Innovations, www.mygoodlife.org/donate/ or the Cottonwood Foundation, www.cwood.org/cwood/donate/. To leave a message for Matt’s family, please visit www.Rumsey-Yost.com.
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