Matthew Phillip Gragg, 30, passed away unexpectedly on February 19, 2025, in Johnson City, Tennessee.
He was born on February 14, 1995, in Boone, North Carolina as our forever Valentine, a title he generally hated but begrudgingly accepted as he got older. As number 3 of 4 kids (but by far the tallest), he often argued with sibling Number 2 about who could claim the title of the spurned middle child. (To be fair, it did vary.)
Matthew faced numerous health challenges throughout his life but met them with resilience, determination, and humor. He was pursuing a career as a paramedic, driven by a deep desire to help others as he had been helped and to deal with uncooperative patients, like himself.
Beyond his career, Matthew found joy and peace in the outdoors away from most people and things. He loved hiking and spending time in nature with his beloved dog, Tundra, a husky mix with whom he had many conversations. Matthew also had a passion for collecting artwork, cool T-shirts, hairbrushes, and pants, sometimes without asking and much to the dismay of siblings Number 1 and 4. Matthew was also a state-champion square dancer in his younger days, a title he held proudly and would conveniently reference in attempts to win an argument.
Known as being kind and mild-mannered, he also had a dry, witty sense of humor. His nieces and nephews especially adored him, affectionately calling him “Uncle Hew” and cherishing the unique nicknames he gave them. They also enjoyed the time he spent playing with their dolls and toys, even when they were done playing and he wasn’t.
Although Matthew had a less than average life span, he did not live an average life. He traveled where he wanted to travel, learned what he wanted to learn, and did whatever he wanted to do, which included listening to Viking music and ignoring our feeble attempts to make him go to the doctor.
Matthew leaves behind a dysfunctional family he was very close with and who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his mother, Melissa Gragg; stepfather, Gerald Brown; brother, Bobby Gragg (Arizona); sisters, Kimberley Gragg-Pline (Julian) and Kambrey Gragg; and grandfather, Charles Ford (Myra). He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and his faithful four-legged companion, Tundra. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Gragg; grandparents Bob and Frances Gragg; and grandmother Bette Campbell. They’re all probably sharing a good laugh right now over one of his delicious meals or mixed drinks.
Everyone who knew Matthew is asked to celebrate his life in their own way. Raising a glass of their favorite drink in his memory would be quite appropriate.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 28th, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Newland, located at 160 Cranberry Street in Newland, North Carolina. The body will lie in state from 1 until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Matthew would have preferred donations be made to the Avery County Humane Society, as he generally liked animals more than most people. Short of that, he would have preferred an unsolicited act of kindness extended to an animal or stranger…but more likely an animal.
To send online condolences, please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
