Stephen Robert Matt

Steve was born at home in Wyandotte, Michigan, to the late Otis and Mary Matt. He was the second oldest of nine children, and is survived by siblings: George (the late Bunny), David (Mary), Sally (Donald), Paul (Karen), Joan (Jeff), and John (Julie). He was preceded in death by sister Mary (the late Robert) and brother Joseph (the late Retta).

Steve attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Wyandotte, Michigan, graduated with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Wayne State University, and completed his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He moved to Oconee County in 1977, and was an Industrial Arts Education professor at the University of Georgia for approximately 15 years, and later retired as Vice Principal from Winder-Barrow High School in 1999. Steve was proud to be the published author of a college-level electricity and electronics textbook, currently in its 7th Edition.

Steve attended The Catholic Center and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Over the years, he enjoyed attending University of Georgia football and basketball games with his daughters; traveled to all 50 states, many countries, and dozens of national parks; and loved working in the yard, hiking, biking, and pickleball. A favorite experience was a family trip to Alaska, where he traversed a glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Steve was preceded in death by his wives, Lucretia Brophy, Kathy Gunter, and Theresa Miller, and grandson, Beau Gunter.

Dr. Matt is survived by daughters Kristin Matt of Athens and Tracy Matt Strassburg and her husband, Boyd Strassburg, of North Las Vegas, NV; step-children, Cris Gunter (Elsa) of Watkinsville, Allen Gunter (Harriett) of Bishop, and Dorian Miller Speed (Matthew) of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Jentz Strassburg of Norwood Young America, MN, Walter Gunter and Gus Gunter of Athens, Lacey Gunter of Bishop, Christopher Speed of New York, NY, Mary Margaret Speed and Paul Speed of Houston, TX; beloved family friend, Wanda Frayer; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with a memorial rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Bernstein Funeral Home on Atlanta Highway. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at The Catholic Center on South Lumpkin Street.

Memorial donations can be made to Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org), or the American Red Cross (redcross.org).

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.