MAJ. Matthew Ryan Liebal

In 2001, Matthew was awarded the Eagle Scout Badge. One of his community projects was organizing a road race to raise funds for a local food bank. Matthew was a graduate of Montville (CT) High School where he excelled in Track and Field, and was inducted in to the Montville Athletic Hall of Fame. Matthew completed his undergraduate degree, and continued to run at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. At Dickinson, Matthew earned All-American in 2005 in Cross Country, then again in 2007 in the 10,000 meters in track, where he broke the school record. In 2019 he was inducted in to the Dickinson Athletics Hall of Fame for his efforts on the track.

Also while at Dickinson, Matthew was actively involved in the ROTC Program, and after graduation was commissioned in the United States Army, where Matthew was twice deployed to Iraq. His service there earned him multiple decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic achievement, and the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service to the United States. Following his Honorable Discharge as Captain from the Army, Matthew continued his military career with the Arkansas Army National Guard where he recently achieved the rank of Major. Matthew furthered his education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and earned his MBA, with the Focus in Finance. With all that Matthew had accomplished, his most prized and treasured was his marriage to Jill and the birth of their son, Benjamin.

Matthew is survived by his wife, Jill; their son, Benjamin; his parents, Dennis and Kathryn Liebal; his twin sister, Heather Liebal and sister, Rebecca Liebal and her fiancé David Coffey; his paternal grandmother, Bernadette Liebal; his maternal grandmother, Virginia Ray and her husband Al; and maternal grandfather, Richard Worden. He also leaves behind his father and mother-in-law, John and Wanda Johnson; three brothers-in-law, Bryce Johnson and his wife Lindsay, and their children, Presley and Sloan, Dr. Trent Johnson and his wife Shayla and their children, Hadley and Ryland, and Grant Johnson and his wife Jennifer and their daughter, Ava; as well and numerous aunts, uncle, cousin and extended family. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ray Liebal.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday January 24, 2020 at First Baptist Church of Fort Smith. Burial will follow, with United States Army Honors, at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday January 23, 2020 at Edwards Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.