Matthew Ray Boice

Matthew Ray Boice

October 25, 1963 – June 9, 2024

Matthew Ray Boice, 60, of Omaha, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, from a tragic water accident.

Matthew was born on October 25, 1963, in El Dorado, KS to Ray and Ann Boice.  Growing up his family moved around several times as his parents pursued their careers, which took them to Hays, KS; Shenandoah, IA; Auburn, NE; La Mars, IA; Nebraska City, NE; and then in 1976 to Gering, NE where he graduated from high school in 1983. Matt worked at a local nursery during high school, and it was in Gering where he discovered his love for trapping and hunting.  He was very proud of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, an accomplishment that would not have been possible without the help and support of his dad, Ray Boice.  He attended Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE, and graduated in 1985 with an Associate of Applied Science in Commercial Horticulture degree.

Matt moved to Omaha in 1987 and started his career as a Landscape Designer with one of the largest nurseries in Omaha at that time. He met Cheryl Harrison in Omaha in 1988 and although they were both from western Nebraska, they hadn’t previously known each other despite their families living in the same area and having several mutual friends.  Matt and Cheryl were married on August 5, 1989, and welcomed their twins, Colter and Samantha, on August 26, 1992. Matt loved spending time with his family, was a loving husband, proud father and a great dad. Over the years, Matt had many pets and truly loved animals.

Matt spent 21 years working as a lead Landscape Designer for the two largest nurseries in Omaha and went into business on his own in 2008. Matt’s ability to launch a business in a poor economic environment was a testament to his skill, depth of relationships, and business know-how. Matt and Cheryl successfully ran Boice Landscaping together for the past 16 years. Throughout his 37-year career, Matt completed thousands of landscape projects both residential and commercial throughout the Omaha metro area.  He established strong relationships with many homeowners, builders, land developers, and employees, many of which became good friends.

Matt was a man of many hobbies and interests and was truly one of a kind.  He was an avid hunter who enjoyed hunting with his son, as well as going on many hunting adventures with his friends. He enjoyed his solo outings setting traps and would often say that the wilderness is where he felt most at peace. He was a man who communicated best through his actions. He was the type of person who would drop everything to help, rarely said no, and was generous in endless ways. He lived every day to the fullest, he loved loud music, big trucks, tinkering around on his property and hanging out with his shop cats.

Matthew was preceded in death by his mother, (Carol) Ann Boice. He was survived by his father Ray Boice; wife, Cheryl; son Colter (Mandy); daughter Samantha Martin (Austin); and sister Amy Houlton (Terry).

Celebration of life: Monday, July 22nd, 2:00PM at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Omaha, NE. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Nebraska Games and Parks Foundation or the Nebraska Humane Society.