Matthew M. Mott, 32

Matthew M. Mott, 32, died at home Monday, May 3, 2021, in Carroll County, OH.

Matthew is survived by his daughter, Selena (3); mother, Melissa McDuffie Mott of Starkville, MS; father, William Mott of Decatur, MS; sisters, Heather (Bobby) Craig of Starkville, MS, and Audrey (Brandon) Holloway of Macon, GA; a brother, Ryan Mott of Meridian, MS; nephews, Tucker and Joshua Craig of Starkville, MS; lifelong friend, Sam Pote; and brothers-in-arms; Ben Evans, Bryce Klein, Justin Lucas, Andrew Wood, Marcel Wright and Rene Ybarra; along with a myriad of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Countless loved ones have remarked on his patience, fortitude, unceasing kindness, unwavering self-control and ability to inspire others. He had a quiet spirit and ready listening ear. Each of his friends prefaces his name with “my best friend,” and he had the demeanor of the proverbial “gentle giant.”

Matthew was a loving, devoted father, who delighted in everything from styling his daughter’s hair to passing along family traditions, the most recent being dyeing eggs and arranging an egg hunt, even though it was only for the two of them at their Ohio home. He had lately began working from home, where Selena spent workdays by his side, listening in on phone calls and supporting her father in completing his projects so they could play.

Matthew graduated from Starkville High School in 2006, where he played middle linebacker on the football team. He participated in ROTC at Mississippi State University where he majored in political science.

Matthew went on to serve in the Iraq war, returning home safe after several near misses with the enemy. Those who served with him describe him as the level head who kept his fellow soldiers calm in the most volatile situations, and often the man holding hands with the dying, reassuring them as they took their last breaths. For this dedicated service he received the Bronze Star for Operation New Dawn and an Army commendation. He honorably discharged as an Army Captain, proud that his service well prepared him for working in logistics in the private sector.

Matthew was constantly learning and improving. He was a well-rounded, quietly studious scholar who unfailingly excelled in a variety of subjects. He earned a master’s in general administration from Central Michigan University while overseas, an MBA from Colorado Technical University in 2017 and a master’s in finance from Johns Hopkins in 2019. His current supervisor described him as having voluntarily sought certifications that allowed him to take on more of her responsibilities to relieve her work burdens.

Matthew will live on in the memories of those who loved him, in the actions of those he inspired, the choices of those he mentored and his daughter’s lovely smile. No man could compare to the one he strived to be and was. His kindness was so extreme that his life and death are the epitome of the tragic hero.

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, /And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet).

Funeral arrangements will be made at a later date.