Matt C. Yden, Sr.

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel Matt Cecil Contri Dryden passed away early Monday morning with his family in attendance at the age of 77. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved son, Christopher. Born in April 28, 1936, Matt spent his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. His family, of Italian descent, owned a grocery store in Vestavia Hills where he learned to be a business man, and how to prepare and dress all types of meats. Later in life he felt at home in the meat department of the local grocery stores, stepping behind the meat counter to direct the meat cutter or make special requests. Matt excelled at football and baseball, playing from grade school and throughout high school. Matt attended Woodlawn High School and Marion Military Institute. Matt moved to the area around 50 years ago to Circle D Ranch, where his family operated Circle D Ranch and Western Shop. Matt participated in the sport of cutting horse competition, and was a member of many associations devoted to horsemanship and later, rodeo competition. Matt began the Circle D Rodeo Company and became a stock contractor with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, a national organization, producing rodeos both at Circle D and throughout the South, west to Oklahoma, and as far north as Maine. The Circle D Rodeo Company involved Matt's entire extended family, with everyone playing an important role in the production and promotion of rodeo. Matt also hired many men over the years who worked to produce rodeos for Circle D Rodeo Company, and loved and trusted them as though they were his own sons. There were many special people who worked at Circle D Ranch either in the store, in keeping up the ranch, or caring for Mr. George or Mrs. Ruth Dryden throughout the years who are too numerous to mention here, but they were like family to Matt and he kept up with all of them. The National Finals Rodeo began in Oklahoma City, but later moved to Las Vegas. Matt grew to love his annual trip to Las Vegas and frequently brought family members along for the trip. The grandchildren would talk about being able to go with him when they turned 21, and some of them did. Matt coached many teams in Marianna through the years and in his quiet way, demonstrated an unwavering devotion to the lives of young people and truly cared about helping them develop their character no matter their age. Whether in grade school or their early twenties, Matt guided many with his tough but tender way, never lecturing, speaking his mind but with a laugh. He was generous to everyone he met and was happiest when surrounded by the people he loved, whether it was his children, who were allowed to invite as many friends home as they wanted, or his very good friends from his rodeo days or the folks for the charitable organizations he served. Matt was an excellent organizer and promoter, and he worked diligently and tirelessly to develop relationships with various sponsors, rodeo groups, cowboy associations, and charities. He brought people together. He will be remembered for producing entertainment that was exciting and still appropriate for the entire family. He enjoyed sports throughout his life and passionately followed Alabama and FSU football. His signature burgundy truck was a fixture, along with a long, good quality cigar planted firmly in his mouth or his shirt pocket, and he drove several places daily throughout town, stopping at the local bank and barber shop and café, good naturedly teasing the people he'd see in his business dealings. He truly had a heart with enough caring for everyone. Matt went about each day with tremendous energy. Even though he fought valiantly back from cardiac episodes several times, he kept a very busy calendar, and still managed to attend every recital, ball game, pageant, play, or fundraiser of his many children and grandchildren. In his quiet time he liked to travel, hunt, and fish. He absolutely lived to spoil all the children in his life, his and everyone else's children. He was probably best known as the family chef. Everyone loved when Matt would barbeque using his own sauce or make his famous spaghetti, or cook some Italian dish from his childhood. Everything he made was delicious yet he made it look so easy. Cooking for a crowd was his specialty. Matt knew there was something about sharing a meal that was sacred and another way of bringing so many people together. He would drive two hours out of the way on a trip to visit a favorite restaurant. He loved Rosario's Italian restaurant in Gerry, New York, eating there nearly every night for his entire stay of two weeks each summer, and visited Waite's Bakery every time he was in Birmingham until it closed several years ago. Matt is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara Ann, whom he affectionately referred to as "Barbran" for short. He was always a gentleman and protector toward Barbara and loved lavishing her with little signs of his affection. He had four sons, Matt and his wife Debbie, Phillip, Stephen, and Jeffrey and his wife Tammie, all of Marianna. He is survived by a stepson, Gary Collins of Attapulgus, Georgia, a stepdaughter Renee and her husband Chris Roe of Tallahassee, and a stepdaughter Georgia and her husband Mark Randall of Panama City. He is survived by 14 grandchildren. Matt is survived by two sisters, Mildred "Sister" Klingeman and husband Howard of Marianna, and Mary Jo "Sweet" Gibson of St. Pete, Florida. Matt was especially close to his cousin, Rocco Calamusa (and his wife Mary Agnes of 49 years), of Birmingham, who was like a brother to him and was present when he passed. He also had many close friends in Marianna whom he loved dearly and saw often. Matt attended Evangel Worship Center. He didn't ask anything for all the ways he gave, or seek attention. However, he will be missed by so many for his generous and loving heart, his way with gently guiding people with their lives, his steadfast way of making time for all those he loved, the way he lovingly teased with a little mischief, his sense of humor, his smile and how he managed to hold so many people together with his strong but tender and quiet love. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, November, 7, 2013 at Evangel Worship Center with Rev. LaVon Pettis officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. The family will receive friends Wednesday, November 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Evangel Worship Center, 2645 Pebble Hill Road, Marianna.