“So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” Psalms 61:8
Trooper Matthew “Matt” Elias Gatti, age 24, died Monday, May 6, 2019 in an automobile accident while responding to a call for help on Interstate 40. He was born September 25, 1994 in Douglasville, GA and graduated from HomeLife Academy in 2012. Matt married Anna Caroline Lax in 2016 and were planning on renewing their vows this year.
Other than helping others, his passions were also deer hunting, guns, knives, animals (especially dogs), and baseball. Matthew loved Jesus and was an active member of the Gospel Light Baptist Church.
Matt’s work career was with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office as Detention Specialist from 2016 – 2018 and the Tennessee Highway Patrol from June 2018 to present, assigned to Haywood County Scales.
Matthew was predeceased by his grandfather Tom “Pop” Cunningham; grandmother Cynthia Bell; his grandparents in-law Franklin and Annie Ruth Lax, Everett Cartwright and Dr. Robert A. Harrell Jr. Other than his wife, Anna, he is survived by his parents Christopher and Christy Gatti; sisters Hannah and Esther Gatti and a brother, Joshua Gatti; his grandparents Joseph and Brenda Gatti; grandmother Barbara Cunningham; parents in-law Frankie and Kimberly Lax; grandparents in-law Jerry and Ann Duvall White; and many other family members, friends, and coworkers as well as their dog, Penelope, and cats, Mardi Gras and Small Cat.
SERVICES: Funeral services will be held Monday, May 13, at 2 p.m., at West Jackson Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery with full honors.
Trooper Gatti will lie in state from 11 a.m. until the 2 p.m. service time. There will be no formal visitation.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Gatti, Adam Cash, Trevor Reasons, Chris Summer, Tyler McDonald, Luke Waits, Ben Carter, Sam Wendorff, Phillip Cash, Tom Harrell and Jimmy Duvall.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be directed to Gospel Light Baptist Church for The Valley of Peace, Belize Children’s Feeding Center, 627 Boone Lane, Jackson, TN 38301, or Foundation for Fallen Officers of Tennessee Donations Account, 1006 Nealcrest Circle, Spring Hill, TN 37174 or online at fallenofficersoftn.org.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305.731.668.1111 www. arringtonfuneralgroup.com
Matthew’s favorite verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
(PHOTO: Matthew Gatti)
