Matthew Avery Esser

Matthew Avery Esser was born May 4, 1975 to Karl Eric Esser and Michelle Beville Esser in Texas City, TX where his father was stationed in the US Coast Guard. He left this earth, to find peace, on October 10, 2017 after a brief illness. Shortly after his birth, he moved with his parents to Archer, FL and grew up surrounded by the nurturing of his maternal and paternal families, and many close friends. He graduated with honors from Newberry High School in 1993 where he also played four years of varsity baseball as both a pitcher and first baseman. After an over 10-year career at Publix Grocery Store, Matt served as an excellent caretaker for his Oma and Opa Esser and embarked on a new path in surveying at Lochrane Engineering, Inc., where he worked until September of this year. Matthew was kind, gentle, and sensitive. Not only did he have a magnetic smile that melted hearts; he loved to make others smile by teasing them lovingly with his witty humor. He also had a passion for playing poker and for magic tricks. Matthew loved to surprise his mother with beautiful flowers and always went out of his way to help others. He was loved by his family, friends, and co-workers and will be missed immensely by everyone who was touched by his loving, generous spirit. Matthew is preceded in death by his father, Karl Eric Esser; his paternal grandparents Robert and Hannah Esser; and his maternal grandparents, Leslie R. and Mae A. Beville. He is survived by his long-time partner Stacy Rash, his stepson Kenneth Owens, his daughter Jenna Cribbs, his parents, Rick and Michelle Vick, his brothers Eric Esser and Nathan Vick, his grandmother Eloise Parker and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street with Rev. Andy Cook officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, October 13, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral Home. Burial will follow in Jonesville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate lovingly to the trust fund for Jenna Aubrey Cribbs at Campus USA Credit Union, P.O. Box 147029, Gainesville, FL 32614.

Matthew Avery Esser

May 4, 1975 - October 10, 2017