Matthew David Jones was born on May 6, 1986, into the fun-loving household of Irwin and Bernadette Jones. He was raised along with his sister, Sarah, in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Matt attended Warrensville Heights City Schools from kindergarten through his 2004 graduation as a proud Warrensville Tiger. He then attended Akron University, while there he began working at Home Depot as a Special Services Associate.

Although Matt had only one sister, he had a large extended family with whom he spent most summers, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays traveling between, Akron, Chicago and Ann Arbor as well as hosting his cousins in Cleveland. As adults, they continued developing a strong bond and still shared vivid memories, especially the banter around the Ohio State, Michigan football rivalry!

“Big Matt”, as he was known, and Sarah lived in the biggest house on Gladstone, and it was the home away from home for all the neighborhood kids. From having exciting and competitive backyard basketball and football games, to creating bike missions, fun was had by all. These early skills led Matt to play several sports including baseball, football, and basketball. Because of his stature at 10 years old, most thought he would be a hard-hitting football player; but he was a gentle giant. He played basketball through high school and was a middle school MVP and a high school three-year letterman. His basketball passion continued into adulthood where he coached Warrensville Middle School and volunteered with the High School teams for ten years.

As a child, Matt was a member of the Eastwood Elementary Unicycle Team and he performed during the Cleveland Cavalier’s Half Time Show, Epcot Center at Disney World and represented the State of Ohio during the Inauguration Parade for President Bill Clinton.

Matt was a stellar and committed Home Depot employee who never missed a scheduled day of work and was forced to take his annually awarded vacation time during his 14 years of service. Given his strong work ethic and dedication, Matt earned the level and title of Assistant Store Manager. Matt enjoyed working with his fellow associates at multiple locations and aspired to become a Store Manager.

He was a proud, dedicated, and loving uncle to Jalen Brown who he honored and supported in every way, every day. He enjoyed bragging about Jalen to anyone who would listen and spoiled him so much that Sarah could not even keep up. Matt also loved to spend time with his chosen niece, Monroe, and nephew Marcus, children of special friends Dominic and Ashley Mann.

Matt had the ability to make everyone feel special and as if he was their personal best friend. He will be remembered as a humble man, with integrity and the ability to make you laugh out loud when you didn’t see it coming. He was beloved and he was HILARIOUS!

Matthew went home to be with the Lord on August 17, 2021, and will be joined with his parents, Irwin and Bernadette. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving sister, Sarah Jones and Nephew Jalen Brown.  His Jones and Burke family of aunts, uncles, and the cousin crew.  As well as the many friends he touched along the way.