Matthew "Matt" James (Ulrich) Yarick, age 23, passed away on May 16, 2015. Matt was born in San Diego, California to Pamela Jean and Brian James Ulrich on January 2, 1992. Matt was the second born child, a twin to Pam and Brian. Spending the first three years of his life in California, Matt enjoyed his dogs Terra and Greta. At the age of 4, Matt moved to Missouri and lived briefly in Bolivar but eventually Pam met Meredith and moved to Hume. Hume was Matt''s home town. He loved being outside: fishing with his grandpa, hunting, getting muddy, camping, exploring and storytelling were favorite pastimes. With a smile and a smirk on his face Matt could be found building fence, working cattle and cleaning up the house for family gatherings because he loved his LARGE family!
In elementary school, Matt was active in the Hume Christian Church where he enjoyed youth activities and singing in the choir. 4-H was also an important part of Matt''s formative years as he participated in public speaking, shooting sports and cooking. Matt''s friends remember him as someone who always wanted to be a part of the action. He played basketball and baseball with a great amount of enthusiasm. At the age of 10, Matt asked if he could become a Yarick. At his insistence, Matt''s last name was legally changed to Yarick. He was ecstatic that by the stroke of a pen to become, Yarick. Matt loved challenges. On a dare from big brother Yancey, he drank a combination of pickle juice and milk. While working with the VBS students, he ate a live worm. While hiking on a trip in Colorado he climbed rock walls, without long pants, losing most of the skin on his shins. Family Olympic games, backyard target play and gross food eating contests were all evidence of his good nature. Matt enjoyed the comradery of high school sports playing basketball and baseball. His teammates loved his enthusiasm and sense of humor. On a Friday night, one could find Matt shoeless and in a cut off t-shirt hanging out with his friends having a great time. Matt enjoyed playing the baritone in the Hume High School band and tuba for the Bates County Nostalgia Band. Grades were very important to Matt. He was recognized as an outstanding health occupations student and was a member of NHS. After high school Matt decided he was ready to get away from the unpredictability of farm life and went to pursue a degree in the health field at Mizzou. While attending MU Matt lived in the Christian Campus House where he developed a whole new set of friends and life interests. He even developed a passion for ballroom dancing and joined the MU club ballroom dancing team. The team met regularly throughout the year to practice and traveled to several different locations to compete. Matt''s own sense of style enhanced the team. Matt was scheduled to graduate in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Casey, a friend of Matt''s, said that Matt was ridiculously intelligent, goofy as could be, and he absolutely hated wearing shoes!Throughout his high school and college career Matt made several missions trips to Mexico, St. Vincent''s, Colorado and Southern Missouri. Matt''s kind heart and willingness to work hard for a good cause seemed to always help him make friends in any setting. Matt is remembered by many as a good friend because he was easy to talk to, willing to help anyone and always available for a shoulder to cry on.
Matt is survived by his parents, Pamela and Meredith Yarick of Hume, MO; twin sister Kimberly Yarick of Hume, MO; sister Tracy Bertoncin and family of Lee''s Summit, MO; sister Lana Eckart and family of St. Louis, MO; sister Leigh Trumbore and family of Butler, MO; brother Yancey Yarick and family of Morogoro , Tanzania, Africa; Grandmother Jean Zinn of Hume, MO; Grandfather Charles Ulrich of Fly Creek, New York and many extended family members throughout the United States. Matt was preceded in death by father Brian Ulrich; grandparents Willis Zinn and Loretta (Ulrich) Bixby; grandparents A. J. and Dorothy Yarick.
Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the Hume Christian Church. Contributions are suggested to Pioneer Bible Translator,c/o Marsha Casey, 11004 SW CR 10508, Hume, MO 64752. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com or sent to Meredith and Pam Yarick, 11671 SW CR 10508, Hume, MO 64752. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Hume Chapel.
