Matthew Lee O'Neal

Matthew Lee O’Neal, born November 11, 1980, Walter Reed Hospital, Maryland

Died February 1, 2025 Columbus, Ohio

It is with profound love and sadness that we share the passing of Matt O’Neal, a devoted husband, cherished son and brother, proud uncle and friend to many. Matt is survived by his wife Dorothy “Brooke” Christensen O’Neal; mother, Sompit “Sunny” O’Neal; sister Chrissie Karuna, and her children, Jett, Aamah, and Mannie Williams along with many beloved uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins in Thailand and the United States; his beloved in-laws, Bill and Dotty Christensen, Nathan (Tanya) Christensen and their children, Violet and Remy, Eva (Jonathan) Byram and their children Elyas and Daniel. Matt had a remarkable way of making everyone feel like family, including the many friends, classmates, coworkers, neighbors and professors who will forever carry his memory in their hearts. He was preceded in death by his father, George O’Neal.

 Raised in an Air Force family, he lived in many places in America, including Alaska, where he learned to play hockey, a passion that continued through High School. Matt developed a love of books by being read to by his dad. He loved Lego’s, ping pong, playing cards, drawing and savoring his mom's homemade egg rolls, fried rice, beef jerky and the aroma of mushroom rice soup when he was sick.

Matt’s intellect, boundless curiosity and thirst for knowledge led him to several educational institutions, starting at Moody Bible Institute with his sister in 1998. He found warm learning environments pursuing a Master’s in Pastoral Care at Calvin Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry at United Theological Seminary. Two communities in particular shaped his spiritual and personal journey - Joshua Recovery Ministries and L'Abri Southborough.

Matt fell in love with Brooke in 2021. They were married October 29, 2022, lived in Westerville and were active members in their church, Vineyard Columbus, while remaining connected to Matt’s cherished home church, South Dayton Presbyterian.

Matt had broad interests. He loved theology, comics and graphic novels. He loved art house films and standup comedy. Matt frequently reread Calvin and Hobbes, Maniac Magee and David Foster Wallace. He had an extensive and diversified taste in music, and listened to everything from Sufjan Stevens, to Kendrick Lamar and heavy metal while cooking incredible meals. He loved a hot sauce that would bring out a thin layer of sweat on his face. Matt was the ultimate homebody yet eagerly accompanied Brooke on daily walks and two trips to Europe. Matt was an introvert with a deep heart for people.

In 2018 at the age of 38, Matt was hospitalized for over a month and not expected to live. After his brush with death, Matt lived the following six years with the utmost intention and love for God, himself and others. He invested in building even stronger relationships with his family, went back to school, fell in love, married, and committed to his wife Brooke with his whole heart. Matt chose to honor what we now know were the final years of his precious life with zest and delight.

Matt's adult life was shaped by his experience with addiction and recovery, both faith-based and secular. Most recently he was a Group Facilitator at Praxis Recovery in Westerville. He was passionate about helping people in ways that also helped him personally; physically, emotionally, spiritually and holistically. He loved to listen to people process their ideas while asking thoughtful questions. Matt's faith is succinctly summed up in Jeremiah 31:3, "The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness’.”

Matt’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Vineyard Columbus, 6000 Cooper Road, Westerville, OH 43081. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00 am. A Potluck lunch will be shared afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to L’Abri Southborough, a space of hospitality and intellectual discourse, where he spent many study terms. (southboroughlabri.org).

For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will begin at 11:00 am at http://www.Facebook.com/vineyardcolumbus/.