Matthew “Two Bears” Worden

Matthew Croy Worden, the son of Pamela Green and Michael Gerdau, was born May 12, 1969, in Corvallis, Oregon. He was immediately adopted by Glen and Jean Worden, and joined their growing family in Albany, Oregon.

Matt was a rough and ready little boy, growing up wrestling and loving and learning with his 5 siblings in the sprawling home on Hurleywood. They loved sledding down Scenic hill, racing BMX bikes, and helping at the Verboort sausage plant; he also picked up archery and hunting in his youth. In 1985 he attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri with his oldest brother, Micah. Some bad decisions lead to his enrollment at Provo Canyon School, in Provo, Utah. He successfully graduated high school in Provo, then attended Pacific University on a football scholarship. A year later he started playing football for the Oregon State Beavers. When his son Justen was born in September, he chose to leave school and start working full-time to support his new family.

After several years of working for a couple of different rain gutter companies, Matt decided to go off on his own. Taking the same “do or die” approach that he was known for on the football field, he properly named the company Gridiron in 1991. After traveling the US and Canada as a commercial roofer and gutter installer he made his home base in Midland, TX. For the past thirty years he has sharpened his skill and reputation for being an “outside the box” fabricator and problem solver. Including his own Trademark standing seam metal-roofing installation procedure called “Gridlock”, which utilizes a technique that eliminates exposed fasteners. After completing a multitude of jobs, including jobs for the National Parks and Wildlife and the US military, he was awarded the Army Corps of Engineers “Best Metal Building Award”. Operating out of Midland, TX. Gridiron provided state-of-the-art sheet metal fabricating for that “one of a kind” authentic look for homes and commercial buildings.

In 1995, Matt met Lisa, and knew they were destined for each other. He became a father to her two girls Blair and Kasey, and in 1997 they added Mallory to the mix.
In 2004, Matt was reunited with his birth mother, Pamela and his birth father, Mike. He reveled in getting to know these two new families, making them part of his life.
Matt’s personality led to friendships with contractors, clients, vendors, mechanics, and most of the people he interacted with daily. His humor, integrity, kindness, and generosity are legendary. Also legendary are his exploits in semi-pro football.
In 2009, Matt seized the opportunity to live out his dream of playing football. He joined the West Texas Drillers, who he played with for 11 years, and then played for the West Texas Oilers in the 2021 season. He was also on several semi-pro all-star teams, including USA Revolution in Las Vegas, Nevada. The brotherhood developed with his teammates was priceless. The Driller’s “Solid as a Rock” award is for players exhibiting the characteristics of humility, team first, heart, and willingness that Matt embodied. Matt was inducted into the Minor League Football Report Hall of Fame in December 2020 and was considering the 2022 season with the West Texas Drillers.
Matt fulfilled another lifelong dream when he met many of his Rock and Roll heroes on the Monsters of Rock cruise in 2020. In typical Matt fashion, he formed strong bonds and was pursing his love of music with his new friends.

Matt loved God, loved his family, and loved doing a great job for the people he crafted roofs for. He was living his “Best” life, enjoying every moment with his kids, grandkids, extended family, friends, fellow warriors, fellow artists, and random people he met throughout his day. He taught us hard work pays off, there is always a way, and enjoy the people in your life.

Matt is survived by his bride, Lisa; his grandmother, Lee Gerdau; his mother, Pamela Best and her husband Roger; his father, Michael Gerdau and his wife Robin; his father-in-law Jimmy Edwards; his children Blair Thompson, Kasey Moore, Justen Worden and his fiancé Valerie Sanchez, and Mallory Worden and her fiancé David Gould; his grandchildren Lacie, Haylie, Micah and Mercie; his sister Gretta Gerdau, his sister Brandy Petzel and her husband Todd, his brother Aaron Worden, his brother Dylan Close, his brother Ben Worden, his sister Sarah Dennis and her husband Dan; brothers and sisters in-law and many beloved nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents George and Maxine Green, grandfather Billy Gerdau, father Glen Worden, mother Jean Worden, mother-in-law Bonnie Edwards, brother Micah Worden and brother Dan Worden, and nephew Todd Edwards.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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