Matthew
May 6, 2021
Matt was born and raised in Indiana, “God’s Country,” as he called it. Playing basketball at Southport High School and DePauw University, he was a proud Hoosier. Matt began earning accolades at an early age being awarded “Best Napper” in kindergarten. This was a skill he carried with him throughout life. As a young boy, Matt enjoyed playing in the field next to his childhood home with neighbor friends. You name it, they played it. One favorite was cattail fights while riding bikes up and down the block. Matt also explored the world of BMX racing at a course in Indy and before long was trying his hand at some freestyle tricks. Somewhere along the line he took up skateboarding and managed to talk his parents into not only building a huge blue ramp but also allowing it to take up valuable driveway space. He played little league baseball and a few years of football before hitting his growth spurt and discovering his passion for basketball. Matt was a member of FCA and the booster club at his high school. Matt looked forward to playing in the Gus Macker 3 on 3 basketball tournaments with his buddies during his summers in high school and college. He joined the ATO fraternity at DePauw and made lifelong friendships; some of which began in a small room smelling of stale beer. Upon graduation, he packed up and moved to Chicago.
Through a DePauw booster connection, Matt landed his first job clerking at the Mercantile Exchange in Chicago. His love for basketball and interest in sports marketing brought Matt to his next professional endeavor working in sales for the Chicago Bulls. He enjoyed rubbing elbows with guys even taller than him and witnessed the team win the NBA championship during his time there. It was about this time that Matt and Jessica met on April 15, 1999. It was a tax day romance that carried on for 22 years. After several years with the Bulls, Matt was ready for a new challenge. He and Jessica were making plans for their future and Matt was talking with several internet start-ups (it was 2000) when he was approached by a couple of the guys he clerked for previously. They were looking for traders to back and thought of him. Thankfully, Matt took a chance on trading and found fast success. He enjoyed a consistent and lucrative trading career for about 8 years. With the financial crisis and the introduction of programmers to the trading landscape, Matt’s career came to a screeching halt.
It was time to reinvent himself and Matt’s interest in flipping homes and investment properties prompted him to get his real estate license. It didn’t take long before he became a leading agent in his local market. Endearing himself to colleagues and clients alike, Matt was a well respected and beloved member of his community. The majority of his real estate career was spent with Keller Williams until recently transferring his license to eXp Realty. While Matt is no longer physically running the team, his legacy and values will carry on through the continued operation of the real estate team he built.
In recent years, Matt was truly impacted by his mission trips to Cuba and those he met there. He and Jessica visited Cuba with their children so they too could experience life beyond Glen Ellyn. His Cuban friends were very dear to him.
Matt lit up a room just by walking into it. He didn’t need to be seen but he was certainly hard to miss! Not only large in stature, Matt also had the biggest heart. He had the gift of making the person in front of him feel like they were the only one in the room. He was sincere, easy-going, and eternally positive. Matt valued relationships, was a friend to many and loved spending his weekends with family and his closest friends.
Matt was determined to crush ocular melanoma from the time of his diagnosis. He always believed that he would be healed. While we prayed for healing this side of heaven, it gives us great peace knowing he no longer has to fight and is finally at rest. We are so thankful to know that Matt had a strong faith and belief in God. Our hearts break that he is no longer here with us; yet, Matt’s legacy will live on. Matt’s children were the pride and joy of his life. Being involved in their lives was very important to him and coaching the kids’ teams was one way he did just that. Matt started each day making the kids’ lunches (which mom and kids greatly miss) and sending them out the door with an encouraging word. His kind spirit, respect for others, and wit is alive and will carry on through them.
Through a DePauw booster connection, Matt landed his first job clerking at the Mercantile Exchange in Chicago. His love for basketball and interest in sports marketing brought Matt to his next professional endeavor working in sales for the Chicago Bulls. He enjoyed rubbing elbows with guys even taller than him and witnessed the team win the NBA championship during his time there. It was about this time that Matt and Jessica met on April 15, 1999. It was a tax day romance that carried on for 22 years. After several years with the Bulls, Matt was ready for a new challenge. He and Jessica were making plans for their future and Matt was talking with several internet start-ups (it was 2000) when he was approached by a couple of the guys he clerked for previously. They were looking for traders to back and thought of him. Thankfully, Matt took a chance on trading and found fast success. He enjoyed a consistent and lucrative trading career for about 8 years. With the financial crisis and the introduction of programmers to the trading landscape, Matt’s career came to a screeching halt.
It was time to reinvent himself and Matt’s interest in flipping homes and investment properties prompted him to get his real estate license. It didn’t take long before he became a leading agent in his local market. Endearing himself to colleagues and clients alike, Matt was a well respected and beloved member of his community. The majority of his real estate career was spent with Keller Williams until recently transferring his license to eXp Realty. While Matt is no longer physically running the team, his legacy and values will carry on through the continued operation of the real estate team he built.
In recent years, Matt was truly impacted by his mission trips to Cuba and those he met there. He and Jessica visited Cuba with their children so they too could experience life beyond Glen Ellyn. His Cuban friends were very dear to him.
Matt lit up a room just by walking into it. He didn’t need to be seen but he was certainly hard to miss! Not only large in stature, Matt also had the biggest heart. He had the gift of making the person in front of him feel like they were the only one in the room. He was sincere, easy-going, and eternally positive. Matt valued relationships, was a friend to many and loved spending his weekends with family and his closest friends.
Matt was determined to crush ocular melanoma from the time of his diagnosis. He always believed that he would be healed. While we prayed for healing this side of heaven, it gives us great peace knowing he no longer has to fight and is finally at rest. We are so thankful to know that Matt had a strong faith and belief in God. Our hearts break that he is no longer here with us; yet, Matt’s legacy will live on. Matt’s children were the pride and joy of his life. Being involved in their lives was very important to him and coaching the kids’ teams was one way he did just that. Matt started each day making the kids’ lunches (which mom and kids greatly miss) and sending them out the door with an encouraging word. His kind spirit, respect for others, and wit is alive and will carry on through them.