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A beloved father of four died from a lightning strike while jet-skiing with his friend in Florida, according to officials and his family.
Steve Matheson, 41, was hit by lightning around 6:35 p.m. Saturday near Fort De Soto, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Matheson, who was from from Saratoga Springs, Utah, was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.
Steve Matheson, 41, on a jet ski before he was hit by lightning on Aug. 29, 2026.
Courtesy of Matheson Family
Matheson had been in Florida for a work conference and stayed an extra day to spend time with a friend, and the two decided to go jet-skiing on Saturday, his cousin, Marianne Matheson Shuman, told ABC News.
“In the morning they had checked the radar and felt OK about going out. They checked it right before they entered the water and they felt OK about going out,” Shuman said.
Steve Matheson (L), 41, who died from a lightning strike while jet-skiing in Florida with friend David Cole.
Courtesy of Matheson Family
Once on the water and they saw a storm moving in, the friends started heading back to shore, Shuman said, but they paused when they spotted a boater who needed help.
“Steve was really good about helping people, strangers included. … And him and his buddy stopped to help,” she said. “… That’s the kind of guy Steve was.”
It was after they helped the boater that Matheson got struck by lightning, she said.
Matheson leaves behind his wife and four children ages 9, 7, 4 and 3, Shuman said.
An undated photo of Steve Matheson with his children and wife Abbie.
Courtesy of Matheson Family
An undated photo of Steve Matheson with his children.
Courtesy of Matheson Family
“He loved big. His family was his No. 1 and he was a very hands-on dad,” Shuman said. “He was the dad that gave up everything and would go throw a ball out in the backyard. That’s what his oldest son said: ‘Who am I gonna throw the ball with now?'”
“He leaves a mark with everybody. … He’s gonna be very missed,” she said.
