Matt Tarter

Matt Jared Tarter   April 17, 1990 - March 19, 2025

Matt Jared Tarter, 34, died on March 19, 2025 near Dayton, Washington. Matt lived with his wife and daughter in Yakima, Washington at the time of his death.  Matt’s Funeral Service will be held on April 12th, at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Eagle Charter School (Elementary School on Bell Street)  in Halfway, Oregon. All are invited to attend, and the family requests that if you have any stories or memories of Matt, to bring them in the form of a note or letter to Andi so she can have them and get to know her dad as she grows up. Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow shortly after.  After the services, all are welcome to attend a gathering at the Swan’s place (44396 Eagle Creek Rd, Richland, OR) for a Bonfire and Fireworks. For more details, visit https://invite.social/matttarter.

Matt was born in La Grande, Oregon on April 17, 1990.  He was raised and educated in Halfway, Oregon, graduating from Pine Eagle High School class of 2009.  He joined the United States Army in 2011, served in the 101st Airborne Division, and completed Air Assault School. Matt and Victoria “Tori” Wirth were married June 9, 2012, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  Matt served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as the M249 gunner for his unit in 2012-2013. He was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge among others.

Matt received his private rotocraft helicopter certification from Upper Limit Aviation Academy in Jordan, Utah, and commercial rotocraft helicopter pilot and helicopter flight instructor certification from Silverhawk Aviation Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. Matt held an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Science from Treasure Valley Community College.

Growing up on a ranch in Halfway, Oregon, Matt developed a love for the outdoors at an early age. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and he loved to be in the water–swimming, diving, boating, water skiing, kayaking, etc. Matt was an overall skilled individual who could do just about anything or would quickly learn how. He enjoyed traveling and had dreams to travel to many places, but he loved going “home” to Eastern Oregon and spending time with his family and his close friend, Ryan Swan.

He was preceded by his grandparents; Dorothy Brower, Joseph & Olive Pinaire and John Wrede.

Matt is survived by his wife Victoria “Tori”, 3 year old daughter Adrianna “Andi”; father Rodney Tarter and wife Neta; mother Heather Snell and husband John; sisters Amy Dragt (Tarter) and husband Nick and Randi Tarter; numerous extended family and friends.

Friends of the family have established a GoFundMe account for Andi’s college fund. If you are interested in making a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-andis-college-dreams-honor-matts-memory, or through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com