Matthew Wickham

Listen to this obituary

Matthew Wickham, 41, climbed many mountains in his short life but none were as challenging as the non-Hodgkins lymphoma (follicular) which took his life on December 11, 2023, three months after he collapsed while biking at Shelby Farms.

Matthew was born August 8, 1982, in Memphis and was diagnosed with the most severe form of autism at age 3. He eventually learned some speech, but more importantly, flourished in a community that embraced his challenges with love. As a member of Boy Scout Troop 240 Matthew completed two treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He was also an active participant in the Special Olympics program at Central Church and twice competed in the state ice skating tournament. Bowling, roller skating and swimming were other pursuits where he excelled. He enjoyed going to Red Birds games with his father and bike riding with his mother. He was also a participant in many youth activities at Bartlett United Methodist Church, Bartlett, TN.

Matthew attended the outstanding autism program provided by the Memphis City Schools. The family gratefully thanks the many teachers who taught and supported Matthew during those years. Your service and counsel enabled Matthew to climb those mountains.

Matthew is survived by his mother, Kathleen Wickham (Larry Wells) of Oxford, MS; his brother Timothy (Maureen) of Nashua, NH; two nephews, Liam and Theodore, and a niece Madeliene, all of Nashua, NH. He was pre-deceased by his father, Peter Wickham. The family is also grateful to Tina and Rory Peterson of Cordova, TN, for their love and devotion as his primary caretakers in recent years through services provided by West Tennessee Family Solutions.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 15, 2023, at Bartlett United Methodist Church with visitation at 9 a.m., a memorial service at 10 a.m. and a reception at 11 a.m. The graveside service is scheduled for 3 p.m., at Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts be sent to the autism research unit at the University of North Carolina. UNC provided Matthew with services for many years, and the family has continued its relationship with its research projects. The mailing address is UNC TEACCH Autism Program, c/o UNC Medicine, P.O. Box 1050, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-1050 (https://give.unc.edu/hfdonate?p=TEAC).