Matthew Echo Hawk
Matthew Spencer Echo Hawk, age 50, was born February 3, 1975 at the University of California Hospital in San Francisco while his dad was studying at Stanford. Matt journeyed to the Spirit World on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at his home in Provo, Utah. He was the fourth of six children born to Larry J. Echo Hawk and Teresa J. Pries Echo Hawk.
Matt grew up in Pocatello, Idaho and later graduated from Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho. He served a mission in the Guatemala, Quetzaltenango Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from the University of Utah School of Law, where he was on the Law Review and graduated with honors. He spent part of his law school education at the University of Oxford in London. Matt’s legal career included work as a prosecuting attorney and defense attorney for Ada County in Boise and time with the Echo Hawk law firm in Pocatello, Idaho. He will be remembered for his work on behalf of Indian tribes including contributions in cases for the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
Matt was a gentle soul, a humanitarian by heart- always willing to share, help or give to others. He saw the best in all humanity. He was a master of resourcefulness and creativity. Matt was a friend to all and was adored by many. He loved and cherished his longtime friendships, and will be forever missed by his friends.
Never one to complain, and always grateful, his heart was ever full of gratitude, and love. Those who know Matt best, remember his ever present curiosity and love of learning about all people and places in the world he loved. He was a walking encyclopedia whenever asked about anything!
Matt will be remembered for his keen intellect, quick wit, and great sense of humor. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, running rivers, his dogs, running (including the Deseret News Marathon), and family time, which often included games. Matt savored and loved all the glories of the Great Creator’s world. He enjoyed international travel including time in Europe, China, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. In the recent weeks before his passing Matt spent time in Cambodia with his sisters and nephew, had good times with family members, and went on a fishing trip with his Dad to Lake Powell; just the two of them.
Matt’s immediate family honored him on May 28th in Provo, Utah at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home. The family gathered to clothe Matt in a traditional Native American blanket from his tribe – the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and honored him with cultural items from their Native American heritage. His family has and will grant all his final wishes surrounding his passing.
Words are not enough to describe our loss of Matt. Lyrics from this song his brother and sister found remind us of Matt:
“The path I chose, no easy roads, for the sake of growth, I’ll take the long way home. This world is more than meets the eye. This life is all about the ride. Well, I’ve come to rise, I’ve come to climb. The canyon in my heart, the mountains on my mind. The path I chose, no easy road. For the sake of growth, I’ll take the long way home.”
The Long Way Home, by Rob Riccardo
Matt was a warrior and took the long way home. He was comforted and surrounded by his family in these last steps of his earthly journey.
Matthew’s senior quote from his yearbook was his mantra and something he lived and breathed daily:
“Nothing I ever said or did, ever did anyone harm.”
Matt was very proud of his family and took great joy and pride in being “Uncle Matt”. He is preceded in death by his niece, Brielle Hill. He is survived by his parents, Larry and Terry, sisters Jenny, and Emily (Brandon Rehrer), brothers Paul (Sara Welker), Mark (Diana Dixon), and Michael. Including many nieces and nephews and their growing families: Braeden (Kylee Pitman), Drake (Bryn Cordingly), Sawyer, and Ryder Hill; Marlee (Desmond Bybee), Cole, Kiya (Colter Brown ), Teagan, Ryken, Lincoln; Dallon (Lindsey Johnson), Cameron, Savannah (Mitch Phillips), Mia (Jack Smart), and Harrison; Emma, Jackson “Boo”, Maggie, Max, Josie; Tayson and Maycie; and great nieces and nephews Breaker, Raeya, Violet, Nova, Rivi, Freya, Lucy, Elias, and Saint and Rowan.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to all those who have reached out to share in our honoring of Matt. In lieu of flowers, we know that Matt would appreciate knowing that you are honoring him in your own way, or the option of planting a tree in his name.