Matthew Aaron (Matt) Barchus May 21, 1987 - August 30, 2015 Matthew Aaron (Matt) Barchus, best known as a BMX biker with the relentless and passionate drive of a warrior and the gentle heart of a young man devoted to nature, inquiry, his family, his soul mate and friends, died on August 30 at his home in Winston-Salem with his family by his side. He was 28. The cause was brain cancer, diagnosed 15 months ago. He faced his ordeal with the same qualities of unabating determination that made him a force in the world of BMX biking. He never displayed any form of self pity, nor did he ever ask, "Why me?" His concerns throughout his illness were for his loved ones and whether he might be inconveniencing them. He was selfless to the very end. Matt was born on May 21, 1987, in Kawasaki, Japan. He grew to become a teenager of seeming contradictions. His gritty BMX biking exploits brought him international attention and a large following on You Tube, but within that warrior's breast beat the heart of a kind, compassionate, generous, self-effacing young man with a moral compass always set to true north. His concerns were for the environment, the underprivileged and those who were being mistreated or manipulated in some way. His friends celebrated his extraordinary kindness, turning to Facebook to share what a profound influence he had been in their lives and their stunned sense of loss. Of the scores of tributes on his Facebook page, the messages were clear and anguished, Matt was extremely well loved and respected for his BMX skills, unwavering friendship, dignity, advice, empathy and healthy sense of skepticism. The picture accompanying this announcement was taken last Thanksgiving when Matt was still well enough to take a family walk along Salem Lake. Everyone spotted the Great Blue Heron in the background, and Matt snapped this selfie. It captures his spirit perfectly. He leaves behind his mother, Catherine Ross of Winston-Salem, N.C.; his father, Gale Barchus of Austin, Texas; his stepfather, Larry Ross of Willington, Conn., and Winston-Salem; his brother, Nathan Barchus of Winston-Salem; his stepsister, Juliet Ross of Blacksburg, Va.; his stepbrother, Gabe Ross of Willimantic, Conn.; grandmothers, Joan Jarvis of Newark, Del., and Nancy Novotny of Madison, Wisc.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins as well as a host of friends in northeastern Connecticut and Winston-Salem. He also leaves behind his partner, best friend and soul mate, Kathleen Sharpe of Winston-Salem. Donations can be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, www.hungernwnc.org or American Brain Tumor Research, www.abta.org. Affordable Cremations of Winston-Salem is assisting the family.
Published in the Winston-Salem Journal September 3rd, 2015. Obituary written by Larry Ross.