Matthew Ryan Klimshuk
Matthew Ryan Klimshuk Obituary
Matthew Ryan Klimshuk, age 57, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away on February 3rd, 2022. A memorial celebration service of his life will be held at First Christian Church of Lawrenceville 3495 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 Saturday, June 4th, 4:00 PM
Matt was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on April 5, 1964 to Barbara (Matthews) Klimshuk and Alexander Klimshuk. His father was a Coast Guard helicopter pilot stationed at Salem Coast Guard air station. The family was transferred to Astoria, Oregon and then to Annette Island, Alaska. This part of Matt’s life allowed him to forever claim that he would walk to school uphill in a snowstorm every day, both ways. In 1970 the family relocated to Port Angeles, WA where Matt and older brother, Mike, welcomed sister, Kara.
After his father passed away in 1975, the family moved to Dunwoody, GA. He attended Austin Elementary school and graduated from Dunwoody High and Georgia State University. Matt embarked upon a career in computer graphic design, culminating in work for CheckFree, Inc and Fiserv, Inc, each company being among the largest providers of online banking services in the U.S.
Among Matt's many passions were science fiction and fantasy literature and movies, some Anime, history, Disney and occasional comic books. This led him to attending and staffing nearby Sci-Fi conventions. A fine writer himself, Matt submitted a few scripts to a well known TV show. None were used, officially, but a later episode was "suspiciously similar" to one of the scripts he turned in.
At the Atlanta Fantasy Fair of 1985, Matt discovered one more of his passions. He met and befriended Christine Vogt. In 1991, a cosplay gown she made identical to the one worn by Belle in the Disney classic "Beauty and the Beast” caught his eye! He soon announced to friends that he would marry her one day! Moving with care and chivalry, Matt and Chris were dating by the end of the year. At the Atlanta Fantasy Fair of 1992, Chris even lured Matt onto the big stage, on Saturday night, costumed as Aladdin to her Princess Jasmine. Matt had shaved his face completely clean, a once in a lifetime event, and they sang the big number, "A Whole New World." A few years afterwards, they became engaged in 1995, and eventually married in March of 2002.
Once married, the two best friends settled in a home in Lawrenceville. Matt kept an expansive wardrobe of graphic t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts and watches that celebrated all his passions. When Matt dressed up for special occasions he dangled a character watch on a fob from his pocket.; his favorite suit being a classic pin stripe that gave him a mobster mystique and made him ready for a game of Fizbin.
Matt and Chris, adopted 3 rescue dogs over the years, and adopted and fostered several cats. Once Matt rescued a kitten lodged in a wood pile. While helping Chris get it ready for adoption Matt, “rocked” the kitten to sleep with a perfect lullaby. What music do kittens like? Pink Floyd, of course.
Matt's older brother Mike passed away in 2012. In his honor, he chose to find yet one more passion and began learning the bass guitar. Through John's Creek School of Rock, he joined the band "We Were Strangers." He loved his band brothers and performing with them. He was always on a high after every practice, and for days leading up to and following performances. It was an incredibly healing endeavor for him. He had recently begun learning the drums and mused about someday learning every instrument in the band!
Matt leaves us short one very generous person, teeming with encouragement and love. He was a very accepting person. Family and friends meant the world to him, and he would frequently and happily go out of his way for them. He was very compassionate toward anyone in a difficult circumstance. Matt’s sense of humor was extraordinary. Legendary! He laughed often, and he laughed loud, to the point of tears. Matt always looked for opportunities to make others laugh! His wit was quick. His memory was perfect. He could recall details and many lines from a show, song, movie or a Monty Python skit, accent included. Jokes or pranks would frequently unfold for his wife, unwary family members and unsuspecting friends! Matt was and always will be a special, dear and unforgettable soul leaving his love with many along the way.
He is preceded in death by his father, Alexander Klimshuk (LCDR, USCG), brother, Michael Klimshuk, step father, David Evans, grandparents Dorofei and Joanna Klimshuk and grandparents Wallace and Anna Matthews. He is survived by his wife, Christine Vogt Klimshuk of Lawrenceville, mother, Barbara Evans of Sandy Springs, sister, Kara Klimshuk of Brookhaven,Step siblings Lori (Thom) Stanley, Kristin (Richard) Stone, Brad (Sheila) Evans, uncle and aunt, Douglas and Kathryn Matthews, uncle and aunt, Jeffrey and Sandra Matthews, uncle and aunt, Stephen and Nikki Matthews, uncle and aunt Dorofei and Jane Klimshuk, nieces and nephew and a host of cousins and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite pet rescue charity and any canned goods for the Gwinnett CoOp will be appreciated and accepted at the service in honor of Matt.
Please wear comfortable attire, especially your favorite G rated graphic t-shirt in honor of Matt.
In light of Covid still being a lingering presence the family requests that masks be worn indoors, and we are asking that all attendees RSVP so we can gain as accurate a headcount as possible to prepare accordingly. Please click the link below to confirm your attendance. Remember, this is our brother who is gone, and his wife still needs our support.
Thank you all for your understanding.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Matthew Ryan Klimshuk, please visit our floral store.
