Matthew Guidotti

Beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend Matthew Guidotti left behind broken hearts as he headed home to our loving Father on December 31, 2025.

Born May 11, 1968, at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital to Milton and Rosemary Guidotti, Matt joined older siblings Paul and Rhonda and was later joined by younger siblings Randall and Gina – making him a true middle child. He grew up in the family home in the Mission District outside of Soledad, California, where he would later farm with his brother Paul. He lived in the Arroyo Seco Canyon not far from his brothers. He spent lunch hours at his parents' house, keeping family in a place of high importance.

Matt graduated from Mission School (1982), Gonzales High School (1986), and UTI in Phoenix Arizona (1987, degree in Diesel Mechanics). He was active in Mission 4-H and earned a Silver Sugar Bowl for the best beet crop. Active farming and leadership roles in Gonzales FFA earned him an American Farmer award. His youth farming accomplishments and diesel mechanic skills came in handy as Matt and Paul operated Paloma Farms for 38 years.

To know Matt was to love him. He was a favorite of so many people. He lived a joyful life, was a creative cook, enjoyed spending time outdoors, was an active member of many clubs and organizations, and lifelong learner (most recently studying geology and geography). He enjoyed a quiet home life, being generous and friendly to the rabbits and squirrels that lived around his house, often treating the rabbits to fresh broccoli when he came home from farming.

He loved his nieces and nephews more than anyone can know, thoughtfully bestowing gifts on them and wanting the best for them in their lives. He attended all family functions and usually was the last to leave, making sure he visited with as many people as he could and holding onto meaningful conversations. At family reunions, you would find him at the barbecue pit making garlic bread that everyone loved. He liked to experiment with cooking, so he would create delicious appetizers, risotto, or casseroles. A man of high morals, Matt was a truth teller: he told the truth of what other people were thinking, so you couldn't help but agree with him. His generosity was without bounds – he even kept treats with him for when he would see other people's dogs.

As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting ducks, deer, and elk; fishing; and camping. He loved to sit in the sun and relax in its warmth. Sometimes he hunted just to be outdoors and watch wildlife. He spent much of his free time at the family's Stonewall Canyon Ranch driving bulldozers, taking care of the grounds and private shooting range, fixing roads, making sure there was fresh water for wildlife, barbecuing for himself or with family and friends, and maintaining a motion-detected wildlife camera. He was always excited to share images he captured and keep records of the variety of critters roaming the ranch.

He truly enjoyed an Annual Fishing Trip to Florence Lake with a great group of guys – they even planned a special Florence trip with kids once or twice to teach them about what they enjoyed about the mountains and lake. During duck season, if he wasn't home, he was at his Hollister Land & Cattle Company cabin – he loved the duck club and his friends there. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to take others out into duck blinds during special events like the Youth Shoot and the Veterans' Shoot. Hunting adventures took him beyond California to Montana, Nevada, and Colorado with friends and family over the years. Beyond hunting, he was even more comfortable with target shooting – he practiced on the family's personal range, helped teach all his nieces and nephews to shoot, and oversaw youth BB and silhouette shooting at CDA and Young Guns events at the Swiss Rifle Club.

People from many walks of life are connected to him through his active membership and enrollment in a variety of clubs and organizations. He held the status of Life Member in California Waterfowl Association, California Deer Association, Mule Deer Foundation, and the NRA. He supported and was a member of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Swiss Rifle Club, FDES Monterey, and Young Guns.

Matt leaves behind his family who loves him without end, a slew of lifelong friends, and memories that we will all cherish. He is survived by his parents, Milton and Rosemary Guidotti; siblings, Paul and Dana Guidotti, Rhonda and Octavio Hurtado, Randall and Gidget Guidotti, and Gina and Grant Cremers; nieces and nephews, Hannah and Sean Steele and Maddi and Seth Guidotti; Jerica and Alyssa Hurtado and Nicole Pritchard; Dylan, Garrett, and Adam Guidotti; and Ian, Henry, and Addy Cremers.

To celebrate Matt's memory and generosity, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Soledad Community Mission Fiesta (PO Box 515, Soledad, CA 93960), Campaign for the Preservation of Mission San Antonio (PO Box 450, King City, CA 93930), and/or USA Olympics Shooting Team (usashooting.org/donate).

Funeral: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Our Lady of Solitude Catholic Church

235 Main St., Soledad, CA 93960

10:30 AM Rosary

11:00 AM Funeral Mass

Reception to follow.

Funeral arrangements made with Woodyard Funeral Home.

Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · January 6, 2026