Matthias Johannes Behnken

Matthias Johannes Behnken, aka Capt. Matt, age 58, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020 surrounded by his family and friends in Shalimar after fighting cancer for three years. 

He was born February 3, 1961 in Bremen, Germany to Ursel and Johann Behnken who was in the US Military stationed in Germany. The family moved to California and Ohio and finally settled in the Fort Walton Beach, FL area.

Matt graduated from Ft. Walton Beach High School in 1979 where his favorite subject was playing saxophone in the band. He had a full scholarship to Texas A & M University to study music, but his love was being on the water, fishing and teaching people how to hook the bigger fish. Fishing expeditions took him to many exotic places including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and the Indian Ocean. Much of his free time was put into his boat and his cars. Matt married Marjori Suarez only last year and both were happy about having finally found their soul mate.

Mourning his passing are his wife, Marjori Suarez; his son, Christopher and wife, Karia, Crestview, FL; his parents, Ursel and Johann Behnken, Shalimar, FL; his brother, Joey and wife, Pamela, Ft. Walton Beach; and his sister, Monika and husband, Brian Carnicle, Hawaii; many friends of the Destin Fishing Fleet especially Francis, also grieving are his uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins in the US and in Germany.

The family would like to especially thank his team of doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, TX and Emerald Coast Hospice and staff for their wonderful support during these difficult times.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd. NE., Ft. Walton Beach, FL. 32547.

Please visit www.daviswatkins.com to sign the guestbook, express condolences and share memories.