Connor Matthews

Connor Matthews, 19, of Shawnee, Kansas, local musician and founding member of the band Mason City, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 7, 2012.

Born August 4, 1992, in Topeka, Kansas, he moved with his family to Shawnee in 2003. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 2010 where his prime interests were creative writing and computer applications. Playing and recording music were his passions — passions most prominently displayed the past two years with the band Mason City.

He is survived by his parents Martin and Monet (Cooley) Matthews of Shawnee; brother Brendan Matthews of Shawnee; grandparents Mart and Rhonda Cooley of Fort Collins, Colorado; aunt and uncle Renee and David Hill of Crestone, Colorado; uncle Matthew Cooley of New York, New York; and aunt and uncle Marie (Matthews) and Phil Doherty of Wilmot, New Hampshire, as well as numerous cousins. He also leaves behind dozens of friends who treasured his kind, gentle, fun-loving spirit; and hundreds of fans who relished the creativity and energy he brought to Mason City.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the funeral home.

Slam Radio will celebrate Connor's life and Mason City's music with a live broadcast from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the Aftershock Bar and Grill, 5240 Merriam Drive, Shawnee Kansas. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. A candlelight vigil will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating your time, talent or money to organizations in your community that are working to improve mental health.