Matthew Dennis Gourley

Matthew Dennis Gourley passed away, Thursday, December 14, 2023, after a battle with heart disease at the age of 46. Matt was born on November 16, 1977; the youngest son of Dennis Gourley and Diane Freeman Gourley in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up in Cottonwood Heights and graduated from Brighton High School. Matthew was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Matthew had a lifelong love of music and an outgoing, bubbly personality. He joined Clayton Productions when he was 9 years old, auditioning with the song “Somewhere Out There” from and American Tail. He had a beautiful tenor voice as a youth and enjoyed singing and dancing for audiences and sharing his light with those who watched his shows. He continued to perform with Clayton throughout junior high and high school and his voice deepened to a baritone. His performances took him around the world to places like, Romania, Venezuela, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Washington D.C., Disneyland and many other places. His love of singing and dancing was so infectious that his brother Brian joined him, and they travelled the world performing together.  Matthew also had a love of nature and enjoyed camping out in the Uinta mountains by Echo Lake. Camping was a yearly occurrence for the Gourley family, and even into adulthood, he would take his family into the canyon to enjoy the weather and the smell of the pine trees.

Matthew always had the heart of a servant and a deep love of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was called to serve as a two year proselyting missionary of the Lord for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the Buenos Aires North mission and served there from 1996-1998. While on his mission, he met Mariel Cisneros in the ward he was assigned, she was the only member of the church in her family at that time. He and his companion would go to the Cisneros home to teach the gospel to Mariel’s family. Many missionaries had taught her mother over the years, but it was Matthew who was able to help her enter the waters of baptism. It was during this time that Matthew’s feelings for Mariel grew, and when he returned home honorably, Mariel came to the United States to be with him. The two were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple on January 22, 1999. They have two daughters, Sofia and Jocelynne, born in 2000 and 2002 respectively. He loved to share his musical talents with his family by singing, playing the piano and guitar. They would frequently sing together, and Matthew would even compose songs. Music was a way for Matthew to share his love with others.

Matthew earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree from University of Phoenix. He spent several years working with IBM which took the family to the Dallas, Texas area. Matthew soon missed the mountains and community he grew up in, and left Texas to move back to Utah. After leaving IBM, he worked for several IBM business partner companies. Eventually, his career took him to Delta Airlines where he was able to teach people from around the world. He was a wonderful teacher and loved by the people who learned from him.

Matthew’s servant heart continued throughout his adult life, even after his mission. He was always looking for ways to serve those around him. He was selfless giving his time, talents, and energy to those in his family, ward, and community. He spoke fluent Spanish and him and his family chose to attend Spanish speaking wards, enmeshing themselves with Hispanic communities wherever they lived. He was always eager to share the gospel with those around him, and a conversation could start with talking about one thing and making its way to the gospel. He truly was a servant of the Lord.

Matthew is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 24 years Mariel and daughters Sofia and Jocelynne of Midvale, UT. His parents, Dennis and Diane Gourley of Cottonwood Heights, UT; and brothers Dale (Debbie) of St. George, UT; Michael (Heather) Gourley of Midvale, UT; Christopher (Gabriella) Gourley of Lewisville, TX; and Brian (Jennifer) Gourley of Corinth, TX.

Viewing and funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel at  6710 S. 1300 E Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. There will be a public viewing on Tuesday, December 19^th from 6:00-8:00pm; and on Wednesday, December 20th from 10:00 am to 10:45 am,  funeral service will follow right after. He will be buried at Larkin Sunset Gardens.