Celebrating the life in Kent of 13-year-old Matthiew Stavkovy

The words came slowly but surely for Oleg Stavkovy as he stood in front of a church packed with people to celebrate the life of his 13-year-old son Matthiew Stavkovy, fatally shot July 16 at a Kent park, a bystander victim of a robbery that turned into a murder.

“A tragic event took place unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. …(they) took my most precious gift, one of my kids,” Oleg Stavkovy said to crowd gathered July 28 at Way to Salvation Church in Kent, according to the funeral service for Matthiew posted by Bread of Life Church on YouTube. “He (Matthiew) had a simple heart and people felt that simplicity. He was always ready to serve and help when needed, even something as small as tying a child’s shoelace or comforting somebody not feeling well.”

From the comments and stories shared by Matthiew’s father, brothers and sisters, it became crystal clear that the 13-year-old touched and impacted many lives from his birth on Feb. 17, 2011 in Burien to his death on July 16 in Kent.

Four males — ages 20, 18, 17 and 16 — face first-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges in the fatal shooting of Matthiew at Turnkey Park, 23312 100th Ave. SE. Matthiew and his 15-year-old sister jumped on their ATV after the first shot was fired to flee the park where a friend of theirs had met a buyer of his camera equipment through the OfferUp app.

As they fled, more shots were fired and one shot hit Matthiew in the back and caused him to die just a mile down the road in an apartment complex parking lot where his sister had taken him for help.

“On July 16, at the age of 13, his heart stop beating after a tragic event at a park where someone decided to put a bullet to his back,” said his older brother Michael.

Matthiew was the fourth child of six children. He played piano, guitar, trumpet and loved to sing with his family and with the kids choir at church. He would have been part of the church youth choir this fall. He loved to fish and play sports.

“He was a bright shining star in this dark world,” Michael said. “He was an amazing son, loving brother, thoughtful grandson and a caring friend. A bright and loving memory of Matthiew will forever remain in our hearts.”

Matthiew’s sisters shared memories about their brother.

“He had the most caring, gentle and humble heart,” said his oldest sister. “One of my favorite things about him was he was so good at everything and he pushed other people to be as good as him and he’d always do everything in his ability to help them reach the same height as him.”

The younger brother even helped his oldest sister with college courses.

“I struggled in chemistry,” she said. “I was stressing before an exam and nervous and I asked him to help me. He studied the whole night with me, reviewing all the terms and laws of chemistry. He learned it faster than I could.

“Halfway through night, he asked if I was hungry. He went to the kitchen to make mac and cheese at 2:30 in the morning. And then he cleaned it all up. He didn’t want mom to have to clean it in the morning.”

Matthiew helped his 15-year-old sister with homework as well.

“He helped me in my studies and would quiz me,” she said. “He was going to skip 8th grade which meant we would have had a lot of the same classes. We were very close, we’d do everything together, piano lessons, signing in choir and just hanging out together at home.”

She recalled the night her younger brother died.

“I was with Matthiew until his very last moment here on this Earth,” she said. “We went quading together all the time, and little did we know that Tuesday night would be our last quad ride. …I’m so grateful for the short 13 years we’ve had together, for his laughter and sweet smile.”

Matthiew’s youngest sister shared what he meant to her.

“He was a really good older brother and always helped me with my homework,” she said. “He’d always ask me to play basketball with him, he was good. He played happy birthday on the trumpet at my last birthday party. I always will remember all the good times we had together.”

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph spoke after the family.

“I wish I had the words to help fill the hole and help with the pain and grief,” Ralph said. “What you are going through is something that no mother or father or brother or sister should ever have to deal with.”

Ralph said she and her husband attended a gathering for Matthiew at Turnkey Park with his family and friends just two days after his death.

“I left knowing that Matthew loved the Lord and that he lived every single day as Jesus would have wanted him to, as an example of light where there is too much darkness and as a servant that took care of and cared for people,” Ralph said. “I know the impact Matthiew made in those 13 short years will be felt forever by the people that knew him.”

Fundraiser

Friends of the Stavkovy family started a GoFundMe page to help pay for Matthiew’s funeral expenses. At the request of the family, any excess funds will be donated in Matthiew’s name to the Bread of Life Church construction project. The church is at 23435 104th Ave. SE.

Oleg Stavkovy has played a large role in the construction and Matthiew this summer often went with his father to help out.

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