Matthew Edgar Tote, 41, of Bluefield, West Virginia passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, while at home. He was born at Princeton Community Hospital on February 8, 1984, and was the beloved son of Paul (Ron) and Drema Tote.

Matthew was known by all as a gentle soul whose love for other people always took precedence over himself. He was the kind of person who gave his last dollar to those in need and saved the last piece of cake for someone else. His kindness to others always shined through his encouraging words and by finding the good in others. He had a rare gift for caring about people that left no small impact.

From an early age it was obvious that he had a love for music which inspired him to join the school band as a percussionist where he excelled at drumming. His love for music would lead him and his friends to form a band while in high school which took the local music scene by storm. True prodigies, they produced two albums on a record label, and toured parts of the United States and Canada.

After graduating from Princeton Senior High School, Matthew's passion for music led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Concord University, and a Master of Arts degree in Musicology from Tufts University in Boston, MA. In his spare time, he gave personal drumming lessons and later went on to teach at Full Sail University before eventually returning to West Virginia to the home he loved. Throughout the years he spent his time composing electronic music which provided him with an artistic outlet.

Later in life he developed a passion for studying and watching films. He particularly enjoyed classic black and white movies of the Golden Age of Hollywood but especially favored classic Westerns, which motivated him to watch nearly every major Western film produced. He read enough books and watched enough movies to last a lifetime.

He was a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics and enjoyed going to music concerts and watching films with his friends, and spending time with God who he loved. He attended New Hope United Methodist Church with his father. Matthew will always be remembered for his selflessness, gentleness, kindness, and unwavering love for his family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Paul and Agnes Tote, and maternal grandparents Edgar and Edna Lester, and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his parents Paul (Ron) and Drema Tote, brothers Ronnie Paul (Laura) Tote, Caleb (Christina) Tote, and his three precious nieces, Natalie, Eliana, and Talitha Tote, along with numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. He also leaves behind his two cats, Defoe and Val.

The family will receive friends at Memorial Funeral Directory on June 24 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on June 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. located at Memorial Funeral Directory on Athens Road, with his brother Rev. Ronnie P. Tote officiating. The burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens with family and friends as pallbearers.