Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - A selfless Utah dad was k!lled after being struck by lightning while helping stranded boaters off the coast of Florida, his family said.
Steve Matheson, 47, was jet skiing with his pal off the
coast of Fort de Soto just before 6:35 p.m. Saturday, August 29, when they
spotted a broken down boat, ABC affiliate KTVX reported.
They were making their way to the shoreline because a storm
was brewing but the dad of four stopped to help the boaters after realizing
they were in difficulty.
But the tempest continued to advance to a point where it was
virtually on top of Matheson, his cousin Marianne Matheson Shuman told the
outlet.
“The lightning took him pretty quickly,” she said.
“Even in his last moments he was helping and serving
strangers,” she added, paying tribute to her late relative.
“He would have it no other way.”
Matheson di£d of his injuries after being rushed to a local hospital.
He leaves behind his wife, Abbie, and their four children.
Tributes have been paid to the “devoted husband and loving father,” who was
also a diehard Brigham Young University Cougars football fan.
“His family was his greatest joy, and he cherished every
moment he was able to spend with them,” his friend, April Beck, said.
"He was the kind of husband and father who loved deeply, showed up fully, and made his family the center of his world.
“Steve also had a strong and unwavering faith in his
Heavenly Father and his Savior, Jesus Christ.
“As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, his faith was an important part of who he was and how he lived his
life. His love for his family and his faith were evident in the way he treated
others and the life he chose to live.”
Matheson was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to help those in need.
His friend, Mitch Faas, recalled how Matheson was the first
person to respond when he needed help moving fireworks ahead of the Pioneer Day
holiday.
“He showed up with his oldest son and jumped right in, just like he had for our shows over the last several years,” Faas said.
Faas revealed the last text he sent to Matheson was, “Thanks
for always being someone I can count on bud.”
“Always brotha,” Matheson replied. “We appreciate you and
are always willing to help.”
Aaron Boone, another one of Matheson’s pals left devastated
by the tragedy, said the pair were supposed to play flag football together
before recalling a heartwarming memory of the selfless dad.
“We shared a love for competition and football, but more
importantly, a strong faith, a love for our families, and a soft spot for
kids,” he wrote Monday.
"One thing I’ll always remember about Steve says a lot
about the kind of guy he was.
“His dad used to come watch him play flag football all the
time. After his dad passed away a couple of years ago, Steve kind of took my
father under his wing at the games, almost as if he were his own dad.
“He always made a point to sit with him, make sure he was
comfortable, talk with him, and visit before, during, and after the games.”
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