Matthew "Horse" Virgil

Matthew George Virgil was born in Moscow, Idaho, on June 28, 1975, to Cathy Mabbutt and Bill Virgil, and joined his sister, Heather. Matt attended McDonald Elementary School, Moscow Junior High, and graduated from Moscow High School in 1993. Sports were always a big part of Matt’s life and he played baseball and some basketball when Coach Matt Kobe needed someone to foul. Football was his favorite and in 1992, he was part of the Moscow team that won the State Championship under Coaches Eric Bjorkman, Doug Fisher, Vince Mann, Bob Monk, and Lance Abendroth.

Matt went on to play college football at Valley City State University in North Dakota, and at Montana Western in Dillon, Montana. He moved back to Moscow and attended the University of Idaho, where he met Alyssa Lyons. Matt and Alyssa were married July 12, 1997, and had three children: Dalton, Holli, and Dylan. Matt and Alyssa divorced but remained good friends and supported their children.

His kids were his pride and joy and he instilled his love of sports in all of them and coached little league baseball, travel baseball, and football. Matt coached and attended his kids’ sporting events. Possibly his favorite role was being a grandfather when Elena was born in September 2022.

In 2001, Matt was hired in the Latah County Assessor’s Office by Steve Fiscus. When Steve went to work for the State Tax Commission, he hired Matt as a property appraiser. Matt and family moved to Idaho Falls where they raised their children. He loved his work and traveled all over the state to work with the county assessors.

He died in his sleep on December 5, 2023, while attending a meeting in Boise, Idaho. Matt is survived by his children, Dalton & Nichole Virgil who are expecting a baby boy on February 14, 2024, Holli & Alex and their 14 month old daughter, Elena, and Dylan Virgil; father Bill Virgil, mother and stepfather, Cathy and Chick Mabbutt, sister and brother-in-law, Rhett and Heather Babcock, nephews Elijah Williams and Isaiah Williams, and niece Sade Williams. He is also survived by the love of his life, Camie Chimienti, and her two children, Kylie and Reese. In addition to extended family members, Matt is survived by a multitude of great friends who knew him as Horse. Matt never met a stranger.

There will be two celebrations of life for Matt – Monday, December 11, 2023, at the University Inn Best Western in Moscow from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Idaho Falls Elks’ Lodge from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please bring your stories to share as we celebrate a life well-lived but much too short.

Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is assisting the family and condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com