Matthew Beau "Matt" Johnson

To Watch a Recording of Matt's Service, Scroll Down to the Videos or Click HERE

Matthew Beau "Matt" Johnson, 38, left us unexpectedly after a very brief illness on Monday, September 28, 2026, while working in Wichita Falls doing the job he loved.

Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026 with the Celebration of his Life beginning at Noon, with 1st Responder Honors being rendered by his fellow pilots and co-workers of Air Evac Lifeteam, at North Side Baptist Church, 910 North Main Street, Weatherford, Texas, 76086. 

Following the service ALL who loved and knew Beau are invited to our home for a picnic gathering to share stories, hugs, laughter and tears that will help us all begin to heal from this tremendous loss. It would mean so much to us if you could join us.  The Johnson home is at 170 Scott Lane, Weatherford, Texas  76085.

He was born on April 9, 1988 in Fort Worth, Texas, beloved son of Jack Eugene and Cathy Deanne Carter Johnson.  He was known as Beau to those who knew him when he was younger, but in the 3rd grade, having grown tired of explaining that he went by his middle name, suddenly his school work had some other kid's name on it - without mentioning it, he was now going by "Matthew".  This was shortened at times to Matt, and so there we go.  A milestone that strongly demonstrated his independent spirit - a lifelong trait that frustrated us in the early years but served him very well as an adult.

Beau attended school in Fort Worth until we found our home in Weatherford.  He continued his education in Azle schools, graduating from Azle High School in 2006.  Upon graduation he decided his career would be a Commercial Helicopter Pilot, and the next journey began.  He worked very hard to pay his way through flight school and of course attained his goal of becoming a Commercial Helicopter Pilot.  He flew tours in Kauai until Covid shut down the tourist industry there.  Beau then began working for Air Evac and served that company on the East coast, then Beaumont, and most recently in Wichita Falls, helping with patient transport and likely saving countless lives.

Early on he worked at Chicken Express and became a cook there, assuring that he would never go hungry!  Beau worked in Alaska for multiple summers on a whale watching and wildlife tour boat, saving every penny for flight school.  He ended up with enough inland water hours to apply for and acquire his Captain's License - working in Alaska and Hawaii all while working on his pilot's license and making friends all along the way.  He was a tour boat Captain in both Alaska and Oahu, Hawaii for a little while, then he moved to Kauai and flew tours.  His Dad and I had the privilege to fly with him.  It was most amazing! He was amazing!

Beau's hard work and determination, otherwise known as his "hard head", never waivered and he achieved goal after goal.  During this journey he worked toward an Associate's Degree and later he acquired his Bachelor's Degree in Aviation.  He recently began working on his fixed wing pilot's license - he was never still.  All of these wonderful things paled in comparison to his impact on this world and all of the lives of the people he encountered.  Beau's life is difficult to put into words - it was too short, but so very full.

Beau truly lived life to the fullest, rarely allowing a dull moment.  It's likely that if you knew him, you are forever grateful for the time spent together. Being the helicopter pilot he was, his colleagues claim that he could put that bird anywhere it was needed.  He saved countless lives and did it with style and confidence. . . probably cracking some jokes all at the same time.  There's nothing he couldn't fly, drive, or Captain and now he flies with the angels.

Forever loved, never forgotten.

Those that greeted him when he reached Heaven include his grandparents, Nolan and Ruth Carter, and Bill and Billie Johnson; his uncles, Chris and Mike Carter; and his brother-in-law, Cody Casey who was waiting with a spare fishing pole, ready to show him the way to the perfect spot, and the two of them finally fulfilled the helicopter hog hunting trip they both had planned for so long! 

Survivors: Parents, Jack and Cathy Johnson; brothers and sister, Jacob "Jake" Johnson and wife, Glorianna, Katy Casey, and Jeremy Johnson; aunt and uncle, Karen and Scott Kircher; nephews, Lane Casey and wife, Brianna, Landyn Casey, and Corbyn Casey; cousins and their children, Michele Peters, Garrett and Camile, Brandy and Craig Ferrara, Isabel, Christian and Ava, Jennifer Ramsey, Avery and Grayson, and Bradley Carter; and many other loving family members; friends that he counted as family; dear lifelong friends and co-conspirators, Taylor, Maverick, Jared, and the list goes on and on; coworkers all over the United States that he loved; and his beloved fur kid, Makani, who gave him such great love and companionship.