Wilmington man dies at Tennessee music festival

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The summer heat is making it difficult for many to stay cool. The high temperatures are even suspected as the cause of death for a Wilmington man at a Tennessee music festival.

David Matthew Sloan, 29, died Sunday at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. He reportedly collapsed in front of medical personnel and then died after being taken to a hospital. His body temperature was reportedly 108 degrees. Today we talked with people who knew him best as they described Sloan as the big guy with the big heart. Among the first to hear about what happened was Rev. Mark Powell, a minister at St. Andrews on the Sound in Wilmington.

“Matt was one of those types of people that just understood radical hospitality,” Powell said. “He was one of the most welcoming people. I don’t think he ever met a stranger.”

Powell and Sloan met at a youth conference while they were both in high school. The two quickly became good friends

“Our journeys have crossed numerous times since then,” Powell said.

Powell said Sloan was very religious and active in his church. He had recently moved to New Orleans to do missionary work.

“They were there rebuilding homes for people who lost their homes in Katrina,” Powell said. “They were there catching the people who fell threw the cracks.”

Though Sloan’s death was unexpected, Powell said his life will not soon be forgotten.

“It’s so hard to put into words what you really want to say about everything,” Powell said. “We’re going to miss him dearly, but we know that his earthly pilgrimage might have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean the end.”

A memorial service has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrews on the Sound. Powell, knowing how many friends Sloan has, is expecting a large turnout.