Uncle Matt

Matthew Lynn Jacobson of Pine Valley, Utah, peacefully passed away in his sleep on October 30, 2008 from pulmonary and cardiac complications.

Matt was born on April 19, 1956 in Miami, Florida and was raised by loving parents, Martha and Lindsay Jacobson in Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended Dixie College in St. George where he was sophomore President, Most Preferred, and involved in Program Bureau, Theatre, and many other activities on campus.

It was at Dixie College where he met the love of his life, Mace Dana Pratt. They were married in the St. George temple on March 14, 1980.

Matt joined the St. George Police Department in 1984 and was always a "to Protect and Serve" kind of officer and never an, "I have a badge and a gun" cop. He was soon promoted to detective and was recruited by the Utah Attorney General's Office in Salt Lake City where he became a lieutenant with the child homicide and abuse division. Matt fought for many a young victim, sacrificing much of his own life while walking the dark paths of child abuse. Matt was honored to receive the Child Advocate of the Year Award from Kane and Washington Counties. He was a member of the Southern Utah Task Force that first created the Children's Justice Centers.

From the moment he was born Matt spent his entire life collecting adventures. He loved golf, skydiving, scuba diving, jeeping, hiking, camping, practical jokes, landscaping, watercolor, egg-carving, and his Harley. Two of his favorite adventures were his California to New York solo Harley ride and landing on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in an F16.

He held many church callings but his favorite was that of Scout Master. He loved making mischief with the youth. Where else could a young man learn to start a fire with a paper-cup and gasoline?

Matt was born to help others. He had a caring heart almost to a fault and lived to serve. He had a soft spot for children, animals, and the elderly. Prince or pauper, Matt treated everyone the same. He always had a smile on his face and a prank up his sleeve. He felt "humor was the spice of life".

His greatest loves were his family, extended family, and friends. He also had a deep love for Jesus Christ and His teachings of service and love. Matt would most like to be remembered for his humor and kindness.

"Thank you" to all our loved ones who have played such a huge part throughout Matt's life.

He is survived by his wife Mace, Pine Valley, Utah; his children, Matthew James, Pine Valley, Taylor Pratt (Kelli), St. George, Laura Lindsay (Matt Edwards), Salt Lake City, and Colin Peter, Layton, Utah; his brother Kirk Jacobson (Brenda), Las Vegas, Nevada; and his grandchildren, Payson Pratt and Addi Mace Jacobson.

Whenever we see a broken-down yellow tractor or a bucking donkey, we will think of you Matt!

Funeral Services will be Monday, November 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pine Valley Chapel. Friends may call Sunday, November 2, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, and again Monday, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services, at the Pine Valley Chapel. Interment will take place in the Pine Valley Cemetery, Pine Valley, Utah.

Arrangements are made under direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to view funeral listings and offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Matt's favorite charity, The Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.