Matt died on March 10, 2023 at his home in Gainesville surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born on February 15, 1970, in San Bernardino, California, the son of Shirley Miller and Joe Tunstall.

Matt loved four-wheeling, shooting, firefighting, racing RC cars and playing video games. He was a firefighter with the Gainesville Fire Department for 8 years, "always learning and rarely missing a meeting or work detail," according to Fire Chief Ed Doiron.

He is survived by his fiancé Kendra; children Anthony Smith and wife Cheyenne, Nicole Sandlin and husband Josh of Gainesville, Kelli Smith and Auden Vaneperen and wife Kelli, all of Gainesville, and Dymon Vaneperen of Theodosia; and Shannon Mcgoldrick of Gassville, Arkansas, the mother of his oldest children Anthony, Nicole and Kelli; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his special friend June and mother-in-law Mary.

A memorial service for Matt Smith, 53, of Gainesville, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Chapel in Gainesville.