Matt grew up in Anadarko, graduating with the Class of 1997. He later attended Redlands Community College in El Reno, where he met the love of his life, Renate. They were married on August 11, 2001, in Anadarko and shared 24 beautiful years together.

Following God’s call, Matt and Renate began youth ministry in Davis, where Matt also started his career at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. They later moved to Sulphur, where Matt pastored Love Baptist Church for 8½ years. During this time, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Despite the challenges of treatment, Matt’s faith remained unshakable, and he was determined not to miss the pulpit. He only missed two sermons—one by the church’s insistence and one while hospitalized with pneumonia. After completing treatment, Matt was declared cancer-free on May 28, a day his family cherished as a miracle.

In time, Matt and Renate returned to Anadarko and he was called to pastor in Fort Cobb. He preached with passion and lived out his ministry with humility, strength, and love for his community.

Outside of ministry, Matt enjoyed trout fishing, athletics of all kinds, OU football, cooking for the Warrior football team, and spending time with his family. He was a servant at heart who loved helping others.

To his family, Matt was more than a husband, father, and son—he was their Superman. Gentle like Clark Kent, yet always ready to step into action when others needed a hero. Superman was his favorite superhero, and to those who loved him, he truly embodied the strength, courage, and compassion of one.

Matt will be deeply missed by his family, friends, church, and all who were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his grandchild, Brystol Welch. Survivors include his wife Renate Neal, Anadarko; Travis Allen and wife Shannon, Moore, Drew Duncan and companion Lukas Hernandez, Wynnewood,Dalton Welch and wife Brittany, Urbana, MO, Blake Neal and Bradley Neal, Anadarko; grandchildren, Evani, Madelynn, Ryder, Milo, Kaiya, Rifle and Atreyu; father, Sherrill Neal, Anadarko and mother Vonda Neal, Anadarko; and mother-in-law, Sarah Joan, Oologah.

A Celebration of Life was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept.6, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Anadarko under the Direction of Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home, Anadarko.