A devoted father of four who died after being hit by lightning had reportedly paused moments earlier to help another boater in distress, his family has said.
Steve Matheson, 41, was riding a jet ski with a friend near Fort De Soto Park — a chain of five islands at the entrance to Tampa Bay — when lightning struck at about 6.35pm on Saturday.
Emergency crews took Matheson to a hospital, but he later died from his injuries. His cousin, Marianne Shuman, told ABC News that Matheson, who lived in Utah, had traveled to Florida for a work conference.
According to Shuman, he had extended his stay by one day so he could spend time with a close friend before heading home.
She said the pair checked the forecast before setting out on the water, and conditions appeared safe enough at the time, leaving them confident about going ahead with the outing.
The situation changed rapidly, however. As storm clouds moved in, Matheson and his friend started making their way back toward shore, Shuman said.
During the return trip, they noticed another boater who appeared to need help and stopped to assist. Moments later, Matheson was struck by lightning.
‘Steve was really good about helping people, strangers included… And him and his buddy stopped to help,’ Shuman told ABC. ‘That’s the kind of guy Steve was.’
Steve Matheson, 41, was struck by lightning while jetskiing off the coast of Florida on Saturday. His family said he had just stopped to help a boater
Matheson was married and a father of four. He is pictured with his wife, Abbie, at their marriage
Matheson’s children are aged nine, seven, four and three. He had three sons and a daughter
The cousin told the outlet that Matheson’s children were aged nine, seven, four and three. Photos from his social media show that he had three sons and a daughter.
A GoFundMe organized to help Matheson’s family pay for funeral expenses and the cost of transporting his body back to Utah described him as ‘a wonderful man, devoted husband, and loving father.’
‘He absolutely adored his wife, Abbie, and his four children. His family was his greatest joy, and he cherished every moment he was able to spend with them,’ the fundraising page added.
The GoFundMe also states that Matheson was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon religion, and that ‘his faith was an important part of who he was and how he lived his life.’
The fundraiser remarkably garnered nearly $85,000 as of Tuesday night.
Following the news of Matheson’s death, an outpouring of tributes from friends and loved ones was posted on social media.
One of the father of four’s friends, Mitch Fass, wrote on Facebook that he has ‘met very few people who made you feel the way Steve did.’
‘He went out of his way to make people feel seen, heard, and genuinely valued. And if you needed help, Steve showed up. He was dependable, generous with his time, and simply someone you knew you could count on,’ Faas added.
A GoFundMe for Matheson’s family said: ‘His family was his greatest joy, and he cherished every moment he was able to spend with them’
An outpouring of heartfelt tributes to Matheson was posted by friends and family on social media in the days after he died
Matheson’s stepfather, Steve Goldstein, wrote on Facebook that he and Matheson’s mom, Jennifer, had traveled to Utah to be with their son’s family.
‘Steve was a shining example to all. He was well loved by everyone he ever met and will be deeply missed,’ Goldstein said.
Matheson’s brother, Michael, said: ‘There are no words to say or express the shock and sadness that has befallen my family… He is no longer with us, but has gone to meet our Dad who is already waiting for him in heaven.’
