LAWRENCE- Matthew Scott Gast, 22, of Lawrence, KS, formerly of Valley Falls,  passed away Saturday March 11, 2023 at his home with Good Life in Lawrence. He was born November 21, 2000 in Kansas City, KS, the son of Vincent A. Gast, Sr and Kathryn "Kathy" J. (Heintzelman) Gast.

Matthew graduated from JCN High School in 2019.  Growing up, Matthew loved to be included in school events.  He had the most fun spending time with classmates and friends.  His friends and teachers made sure to involve him in pep activities and social functions.  Matthew was proud to earn a DARE award and an Infini-tech award while in school.  Matthew was also voted King of Spirit Week.
Matthew moved to a group home in Lawrence in 2019 where the world expanded for him. He met new people, made new friends, and was blessed to have many exciting experiences.  Among those experiences, Matthew was able to attend a Kansas City Chiefs game, as well as go swimming.
Matthew was an avid Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawk fan. Matthew's hobbies included telling jokes, doing arts and crafts, listening to Christmas music, and watching game shows. He also loved spending time with family and friends.  Matthew would never pass up a trip to Walmart, or any outing.  Matthew loved to talk about his sister's dog, Dottie, and his chihuahua named Taffy.  Matthew's favorite people included his "big, big sister", Keara, who is not big at all, and his sister Marla, who he loved "so, so, so much".
Matthew made his twenty-two years count.  Matthew had a huge smile and an even bigger heart.  He would remember details about the lives of the people around him.  He'd ask about people's families; he'd ask about people's lives.  Matthew had an eye for "reading" people and would express concern for people when they were troubled.  Nothing escaped his eye, or his ears.  Matthew embodied the meaning of unconditional, all-encompassing love.  He was compassionate, humble, and patient.  His care for others had no limit.  Matthew will be missed by many. Matthew's legacy lives on in the lives he touched.
Survivors include his 7 sisters, Judith Lorenzo (John) of Winchester, KS, Bethany Gerety of Topeka, KS, Susan Stapleton of Lenexa, KS, Amy Horton (Bryan Johnson) of Olathe, KS, Karen Hansen of Olathe, KS, Marla Hammer (Justin) of Sublette, KS and Keara Torkelson (Joe) of Baldwin, KS; 2 brothers, Vincent Gast, Jr (Buddy) of Lawrence, KS and John Gast (Amy) of Valley Falls, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn "Kathy" J. Gast on November 10, 2022 and is father, Vincent S. Gast, Sr. on November 21, 2022.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Celebration of Life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Goodlife's Midnight Farm, 2084 N. 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66060.  The family invites friends and family to wear their favorite Chiefs, Royals, or Jayhawk shirt to the visitation, funeral, and celebration of life.  Memorials may be given to the Matthew Gast Memorial Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.