Matthew David Perron

“Finally lost his battle with heart disease.”

Matthew was born April 18, 1980 in Orange, California at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  He passed away March 30, 2024 in Hurricane, Utah.

It is not a clichéd statement to say Matt loved, helped, and encouraged more people in his brief 43 years than most of us will accomplish in twice that many years.  He had a big heart, had unlimited skills, had a quick wit, and a great sense of humor. He was a good listener and unselfish with his time. If anyone needed anything Matt had the time to listen and help.

Matt’s first love was his daughter Lacey. His passion was off-road racing, rock crawling… generally traveling cross-country over rough land, mountains, desert, marsh, swamps, ice or snow.  He understood the terrain and the vehicle’s ability and if he was wrong, he could fix things on the fly and his mind locked in the needed changes and fixes for the future.  Matt’s 28 years of experience made him a master of the trade.  Yet, with all his ability and experience he was humble.  As he was helping people, they would often ask him, “Is this going to work?” “Are you sure we can drive this fast over the desert?” “Can we really get over and through those rocks?” “Do we need a different suspension?” He would always answer, “I don’t know, this is my first time.”

Far from his first time; Matt rebuilt his first Jeep that his uncle gave him, taking out the blown engine and replacing it with a Chevy V8, redoing the cooling system, after-market suspension, heavy duty axles with lockers, and oversized tires.  All this was done in his father’s home garage before he was old enough to get a driver’s license.  It only got better from there!  Matt was running The Hammers in Johnson Valley, California fifteen years before there was the King of the Hammers (KOH). He raced KOH, Baja 1000, The Mint 400, and all of the Best in the Desert series and many more. First place finishes and point championships were no stranger to Matt. 

Matt’s character is best summed up in a tribute posted by a friend, “Matt Perron was not only a phenomenal engineer, mechanic, and fabricator, but also an extraordinary friend.  Matt’s unwavering kindness and selflessness left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.” Continuing she said, “His genuine care and compassion extended far beyond his immediate circle.  Matt had a way of making time for everyone, no matter how busy he was.  He understood the importance of human connection and never hesitated to check in on his many friends scattered across the country. His phone calls and messages brought comfort and solace to those who needed it.”

Matt grew up in Orange, California. He was an Eagle Scout and played varsity football at Villa Park High School where he was a starter for three years on a team that went to CIF state finals all three years.  He was offered an opportunity to play college football but he turned it down. He said he was tired of football.

Matt was an accomplished down-hill skier.  In the 1990’s the USSA had timed trials set up at most major ski resorts that the youth could run for fun.  The Association would take your name, then post and rank times from all the various resorts for the season. Obviously USSA was looking for talent.  Matt was ranked 8th for his age group in the state of California.  Not that he cared, he was just having fun running the course when he was out and about on the mountain.

Growing up in Southern California Matt enjoyed the beach, but loved the mountains and deserts more. He loved to fish, a passion that lasted a life time.  Matt and his cousin Gary could very possibly be some of the best fishermen in Idaho, but Matt’s cousin, Kevin, would contest this statement.

As an adult, Matt served as the supervisor of merit badge counselors at Boy Scout camps for several summers.  Matt was also a volunteer member of the San Bernardino County Search and Rescue Team. His emergency training served him and others well in isolated places where few dared to travel.

When it comes to the trades there is not anything that Matt couldn’t do and do well.  When he wasn’t off-roading he became a carpenter, finish cabinet builder, plumber, electrician, drywall and plasterer, tile layer, and an extraordinary operator of a land excavator.

Matt has lived in Orange, California; Yucca Valley, California; Hailey, Idaho; Gooding, Idaho; Buhl, Idaho; Meridian, Idaho; and Hurricane, Utah. He loved life.  His favorite place was where he happened to be at the time, but he told his father many times that Hurricane, Utah was the greatest place on earth.         

Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Yvonne Perron, who was diagnosed with cancer when Matt was fourteen years old and passed away when he was twenty three. He is survived by a daughter, Lacey Perron, Bend, Oregon; father William (Debbie) Perron, Meridian, Idaho; sister Tami (Jeff) Coltrin, Kansas City, Missouri; brother Greg (Deanna) Perron, Yorba Linda, California; sister Jennifer (Travis) Stevenson, Cumming, Georgia.  In 2006 Matt gained another mother which also advanced him from being the youngest of the siblings to being an older brother. He gained a sister Jade Hansen, Meridian, Idaho; sister Brooke (Kenny) Dahlstrom, Buckley, Washington; sister Kendra (Jeff) Hinckley, Lake Chelan, Washington; brother Duke (Nicole) Daniels, Lehi, Utah. Matt is also survived by 28 nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Shoshone, Idaho on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.    

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Shoshone Chapel.

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