Matthew C Sullivan

Matthew “Matt” Charles Sullivan, 63, originally of San Francisco, California, passed away December 30, 2025, at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by love. Matt was engaging, humble, hilarious, and intensely present. A thoughtful listener and gifted storyteller, he had a rare way of making life feel calmer and lighter just by being near.

Family was everything to Matt, especially his wife of 27 years, Karen (Hudson) Sullivan. They met on a backpacking trip in California in 1996 and instantly recognized something enduring and true. Their life together was filled with laughter, shared faith, true friendship, adventures in travel, the best rescue dogs, and appreciation for fine coffee and guitar talent. But their greatest joy remained their daughter, Grace Elizabeth Sullivan, whom Matt adored completely and spoke of with boundless pride and tenderness.

Matt is survived by Karen and Grace; his siblings Mark (Huy Tran), Eileen (David Kornfield), Michael (Otilia) and Erin; his in-laws Wayne and Sue Hudson, Deborah Davis, and Michelle O’Brien (Tom); and his ten nieces and nephews, along with many dear cousins and lifelong friends. All will miss him deeply. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte and Ralph Sullivan, and his infant sister, Elise.

Raised in Los Altos, California (SF Bay Area), Matt was a middle child and had a particular bond with older brother Mark. Creative and disciplined, Matt studied abroad in Florence, Italy, graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in graphic arts, earned a double black belt in Shorin Ryu karate, and lived sober since 1987 with quiet strength and grace. After moving to Homewood, Alabama, in 2003, Matt built deep community through his church, his neighbors, his career as a Senior Interaction Designer, and his love of serving—always welcoming anyone with his exceptional coffees and hand-tossed pizza from his wood-fired oven.

Matt’s life was ultimately marked not by grand gestures, but by a steady devotion to learning, creating, and showing up fully for the people around him. Everyone who knew him is better for it.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, Alabama. Visitation begins at 2pm immediately followed by a Memorial Service at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Matt’s memory to The Glioblastoma Research Organization, supporting cutting-edge brain cancer research.