Family, Friends Pay Tribute to Matt Carp in Outdoor Memorial

Friends and relatives gathered Aug. 1 at Lamb's Fellowship Church for a memorial service celebrating the life of Matt Carp, who died July 23 after a bicycle accident.

Menifee resident Matt Carp was remembered as a humble, loving family man with a great sense of humor and a passion for helping others when a large crowd gathered for his memorial service Aug. 1.

Many also spoke about Carp's passion for cycling -- the activity in which he was involved when killed by a motorist on Domenigoni Parkway July 23. Although his life was cut short at age 55, Carp had a remarkable impact on those around him, many explained during the ceremony.

In a peaceful setting in the outdoor amphitheater at Lamb's Fellowship Church in Lake Elsinore, friends and family members paid tribute to a man who will not be forgotten.

"Matt loved his family," said family friend Paul Weston (left), officiant at the ceremony. "He was a man of integrity. He was someone who got up early and was a hard-working, salt-of-the-earth kind of guy. He had an incredible sense of humor, he was always happy, and he was a fanatical cyclist."

Carp was recalled as a loyal employee, rarely missing a work shift at a Costco store in Corona. Many of his former co-workers attended the memorial wearing their company ID badges. John Handal (below), a longtime friend and co-worker, described Carp as a "loving, loyal, humble man."

"Every time I strap on my gear and go for a ride, I'm always going to look over my shoulder, look for Matt, and say, 'Talk to me, Matt,' " Handal said.

Matt's brother Mitch read a letter to his brother. His other brother, Marc, put together a slide show that was shown. Matt's wife Paula, daughter Amanda and son Travis also spoke during the ceremony.



"He set a perfect standard for the kind of man I hope to find one day," Amanda said about her father.

Mitch Carp addressed the audience concerning his brother Matt during the memorial service.