Lexington Student Body Honors, Remembers Special Fan at Game

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

LEXINGTON, Oklahoma -- Ten-year-old Matthew Christy liked nothing more than to sit in the bleachers and cheer on the Lexington High School Bulldog's marching band and football team on Friday nights.

Matthew joined his father, Lexington's band director, every chance he could. But Wednesday, Matthew passed away after years of battling a rare degenerative muscle disease.

The days before he passed, his family said all Matthew would talk about was how Lexington would be getting the NEWS 9 Spirit Stick on Friday and how he would get to be on TV with the band.

Friends and family made that dream come true by wearing photo buttons of Matt to Friday's football game. Lexington High also chose to have Matt's father accept the Spirit Stick in Matt's honor.

"Every note we play, every step we make is for Matty. We know he's watching us and we want to make him proud," said Amber Stanfield, family friend and Lexington High band member.

Matthew's family said Friday's game was a bit of comfort in their time of grief.

"Matty loved everybody and it really comforts us a lot to know how many people loved him back," said Lisa Christy, Matt's mom.

Matthew's degenerative muscle disease only affects about 3 out of 1 million children.

There are two different funeral services set for Matthew.

The first funeral will be Saturday, September 26, at the First Baptist Church of Lexington. A viewing will be at 1 p.m. The service will begin at 2 p.m.

The second funeral will be on Tuesday, September 29 at 2 p.m. at the Coyle Christian Church in Coyle.