March 8th 1985 - September 24th 2025
On 24 September 2025 Dustin Richard Matthews, age 40, returned home after a tragic pedestrian accident in Texas. He was born 8 March 1985 in Durban, South Africa to Richard Clifford Matthews (deceased) and Laurita Nan Murdock (Hall).
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2004 to 2006 in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission. After graduating from the University of Utah (B.S. 2009) he went to Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2012.
He pursued a law degree because he had a desire to help people and had his own family law firm. He had an innovative mind and was an entrepreneur at heart. He eventually transitioned into the solar industry.
From an early age he loved the outdoors and had an adventurous spirit. He loved skateboarding, skiing, mountain biking, sailing, scuba diving and spending time with his family, especially his girls who were the love and purpose of his life.
He leaves behind 4 beautiful daughters, Charlotte (11), Theo (9), Heidi (7) and Rose (3), and his siblings, Josselyn, Bianca and Clinton. He is reunited with his father who he longed to know better, and his brother Simeon (1980).
He will be missed by all his numerous family members and loyal friends around the world. If you would like to leave a memory for his girls to read in the future, please do so here.
πΌ A selection of Dustin's music collection
On November 14th, Dustin's family held services in Bountiful Utah where his remains were laid to rest.
I went to High School with Dustin and was pleasantly surprised when he showed up in Pittsburgh to serve with me! We only served around each other for a little while but it impacted my life for the better.
He had a brilliant mind and different way to look at things. He taught me a lot and had a commitment to be a better missionary everyday. I remember him bearing his testimony of the Savior and how powerful his resolution was.
I will miss him. I have no doubt that he will be watching over his girls. Love you brother
Anonymous
I was a friend of Dusty's after I graduated High School from Viewmont before my mission, and then for years after our missions. I remember writing Dusty while we both served missions for the church, and hanging out with him both before and after our missions. He had an infectious laugh and such a fun personality.
To Dusty's family and kids, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you in this time of mourning and grief.
Anonymous
Worked with Dustin for two years and he was always a man dedicated to his children. Whenever he talked about them, I could always see the sparkle in his eyes. Professionally, he worked with passion and dedication to customers.
Anonymous
My friendship with Dustin began as his young man leader. We had a blast, enjoying a variety of activities from camping and hikingβ¦to games and church stuff.
New to the area and Ward, and struggling for friendship, for a time Dustin had fallen in with a few rough friends. One evening during a private discussion I challenged him to evaluate his friend group and make changes where necessary,. Dustin went on to make some of the toughest choices of his young life. He completely changed his friend group for the better. I was so proud of him for his strength. His choices changed the trajectory of his young life.
Life marches on so quickly and gets complicated but through the years I have been pleasantly surprised to see Dustinβs name pop up on caller ID. He took time for me. Sometimes just a quick chat to catch up with each other. Other times a lunch. Most recently our choice of activities was to head out on Mt bikes! He was a brilliant lawyer, assisting me with my will and trust. He gave great advice.
Through it all I have been most impressed with his love and devotion to his children! Man how he loves them. And of course he so loved his mother, sweet Nanβ¦his anchor and cheerleader.
God be with til we meet again my dear friend and brother.
I love you, Dustin. Iβll miss the calls and the rides! May peace, understanding, and acceptance be your rich blessing in the next dimension of our eternal existence.
T. Hawkins
While visiting family in Utah some years back, I became ill and required medical attention. I was in a foreign country with no idea of how medical things are done. Dustin assisted me taking me to a clinic and staying with me until I had recieved the attention I needed. I was impressed by his compassion and kindness, assisting me with everything.
When i was feeling a lot better a few days later, he took me shooting. We got great satisfaction from shooting Osama Bin Laden. Dustin had a few guns we used to rid the world of Osama. He was patient and understanding as he guided me in the use of these weapons. We had a great time!
I never knew Dustin very well as he was in America and I in South Africa, but his relationship with me was friendly, caring and respectful. It is an honor to be one of his uncles. He is missed.
Kenneth Hall
On the few rare times I made it out to Utah, Dustin was a welcoming nephew who made time to visit with Auntie Voi. A fond memory is of both of us getting really "snot en trane" remembering Mom/Granny. No doubt they are having a good laugh together about it now
Voi Dunston
This is one of my favorite photos of Dustin. (It was taken in the botanical gardens in Durban, South Africa).I have many memories of Dustin my nephew. There was only 15 years between us. Nan and the children came to live in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa. Dustin was 3 years old I was 18, Dustin used to be my little shadow and followed me around all over, always talking to me and asking endless questions.
Jason Hall
Dusty and I have been friends for a long time. I met him back when we were in the BJH band. We both played the clarinet and became fast friends. One of the first memories I have is building a haunted house in our friend Brodyβs backyard. No one showed up to go through, so we had our vegetarian pineapple pizza and went to a real haunted house.
Dusty was really into music and introduced me to so many musicians that I still listen to today.
We had a lot of fun times going on different camping trips from the San Rafael Swell to Crystal Hot Springs. The last trip we did together was a winter trip up to Lava hot springs with our wives.
Iβll always look back on those fun times and great memories fondly.
JD Kitchen
Over the years, a few core memories of Dustin have stayed with me. Quiet companions that surface when I least expect them. The other day, while I was shaving, one of them came to me.
It always takes me back to the basement bathroom in our home on Emerald Hills Drive. Small, cramped, but brightened by a single window on the rear wall. I donβt remember why we were both in there while I was shaving, only that it was a time of easy conversation and laughter. Dustin was curious about the lather I was building and asked about my method. I showed him, offered a few thoughts, and soon we were comparing notes.
Years later, when revisiting the memory, it occurred to me that we didnβt have anyone to show us how. We learned on our own, standing in front of that mirror. Sharing notes was just our way of figuring things out. I was never a perfect brother, but in moments when you let me teach you something, made me feel like I mattered to you.
When I revisit that memory now, I like to think that youβve found the kind of peace we are all searching for. The calm that comes after the laughter fades, when everything is finally still. And maybe thatβs where youβll always be, in that quiet light, standing beside me.
Clinton
Iβve known Dustin since he was 14. He and his brothers, along with some friends, joined a gaming group I started so we could play and compete together. Whatβs funny is that we never shared personal details, we only knew each other by our gamer tags. Even so, that little community we built back when the internet was still new became the foundation for friendships that have lasted decades. Many of us still havenβt met in person, but we connected deeply through our shared interests and have continued to support one another for decades now.
Around 2016, I reconnected with Dustin, though I canβt remember exactly how, we found ourselves gaming together again. I know video games arenβt always seen in the best light, but for both of us it became a kind of therapy. We spent countless hours laughing until we cried, escaping the stresses of life and reliving a piece of our childhoods. Over those two years, our friendship grew stronger than ever, grounded in honesty, trust, and genuine care. We shared our feelings, thoughts and supported each other. I got to meet his girls, understand how much he loved and cared for them.
My heart is broken, because I've lost a very rare thing in life, a good friend. We could speak our minds honestly, without judgement, with forgiveness and love. I am so very thankful to have had him in my life.
My heart aches for you, your family, and for his girls. This is overwhelming and so hard to make sense of. It doesnβt feel real. I only find comfort in knowing that Dustin is finally at peace, free from pain, and in the presence of the Lord who loves him.
I think its incredibly important to honor him by letting his girls know how much they meant to him, how much he loved them and how proud he was. Please preserve that legacy of love and who he truly was. Protect it.
WackMF
I, like Jonathan(Wackmf), met Dustin in a gaming community. Like-minded souls looking for a place to have some fun without being concerned about anything other than the fun that was being had and the friendships that were being built. When I joined the group, I was in a very dark place myself having recently lost a brother to a car accident.
The friendships from that group kept me grounded, offered up a fun distraction, and eventually helped me to see the light again as i grew some incredible bonds with guys I had never met in person.
I had the pleasure of flying out to Utah to meet Dustin in person and he was exactly who I expected him to be. A fun loving guy who had an incredible amount of love for his daughters. His smile, when he spoke of them, was from ear to ear and it was the most genuine happiness you can see in a person.
We lost touch for a while, as life happens, but like most things, we just kept coming back to each other. I saw him again last year for a few hours as he stopped by. I remember cooking dinner and us talking about EVERYTHING... he seemed so at peace and had such a great plan for the future.
It's painful for me because losing a good friend makes me relive the loss of my brother, but even more so for his girls, knowing that not having their dad around will be an incredible loss for them!
Here are a couple of pics..one he took of us, and one I captured of him in the backyard....he sure did love nature. He didn't know I took that pic. :)
I give thanks for his friendship, his consistent honesty, and for allowing me to be his friend! Love ya DK!! Prayers to the family as I know this loss is felt even more deeply by them!!! - Ghost
Richard
I met Dusty in 6th grade and was close friends with him throughout junior high. We spent long summers swimming in his familyβs pool, playing video games, and discovering new music together. Although we drifted apart when we went to different high schools, we reconnected at the end of our sophomore year.
I have countless memories with Dusty, Clint, Shaun, and Danielβgaming all weekend and watching so many terrible movies. Over the years, Dusty and I would reconnect through online gaming or catch up over dinner. No matter how much time passed, we always picked up right where we left off.
When I think about Dusty, I am always reminded of all the times we cried laughing. Iβll miss my friend, and Iβm grateful for the positive impact he had on my life. Love you buddy.
Colter
I came to know my dear stepbrother Dustin Matthews shortly after Larry and Nan married in 1995. While I was attending college, I would come visit my family in Bountiful. I remember Dustin singing "I Have a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" when I made a Christmas mix tape to send to my girlfriend on her mission. We had fun snowboarding and skiing together as a family. Dustin, Shaun, and I loved to play racquetball together as well. Later, I moved out of Utah and mostly saw Dustin at family reunions and other family gatherings. Dustin had his characteristic wide smile as we enjoyed a variety of activities together including water sports at Bear Lake and playing group games. Later in Dustin's life, I could see how very much his children meant to him. Early this year, Dustin called me to express his love and concern for my sister who was hospitalized out of state. During our conversation, he let me know about some job opportunities for two of my children. I very much appreciated his loving outreach. His years on this earth were cut short. I love Dustin and will miss seeing his bright smile.
Daryl Murdock
Dustin and I were just 6 months apart in age and first met at 10 years old when our parents got married. While our life paths, interests, and personalities were different sometimes we were close during many periods where they converged and rarely at odds. We undoubtedly influenced and inspired each other as we experienced the same stages in life- often with a dose of brotherly competitiveness. Dustin and I connected and reconnected in our teens, 20s, and 30s when we were both in Utah. And we shared interests in playing racquetball, video games, movies, and disc golf together.
He was smart, adventurous, inclusive, and giving and I will miss him very much.
Shaun
Hereβs some of the disc golf courses we enjoyed playing together: