Matthew Smith Bond

In Loving Memory of

Matthew Smith Bond

September 3, 1973 – January 11, 2026

Matthew Smith Bond, age 52, passed away at home on January 11, 2026, under the care of

Cleveland Clinic Hospice.

He faced his diagnosis of ALS with remarkable courage and bravery. He received exceptional

care from the most amazing physicians at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio over the last

seven years, and at the end, he received the most compassionate and dignified care from

Cleveland Clinic Hospice.

Matthew was born on September 3, 1973, in Columbus, Ohio, to Richard and Gail Bond. He was

a graduate of Richmond Hill High School and worked for UPS for 27 years.

Matthew was well traveled. He had the opportunity to travel overseas with his parents, who

taught at the American Embassy School in Damascus, Syria, and the Belco Petroleum School, Talara, Peru.

Matthew was an avid sportsman and played many different sports throughout school, including

football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling. When Matthew wasn’t working, he served as a

volunteer firefighter for the Brooklet Fire Department for three years and was a Fourth-Degree

member of the Knights of Columbus at Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Statesboro, Georgia,

where he attended Mass on Sundays.

In the fall, he loved watching his Ohio State Buckeyes play and praying that this would be the

year for his Cleveland Browns. In the summer, he enjoyed rooting for his Cleveland Guardians

baseball team, formerly known as the Cleveland Indians. Matthew also spent many happy hours

with his nephew Jason Simmons, talking and texting about sports—especially football—and

playing their favorite video games.

Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Richard Bond; his paternal grandparents, Helen

and Clifford Bond; and his maternal grandparents, Marguerite and Gilbert Smith.

Matthew is survived by his loving and caring wife of 26 years, Jennifer Bond. He is also

survived by his loving mother, Gail Bond of Richmond Hill, Georgia and his sister, Molly

Huffmaster (Nathan Huffmaster) of Valdosta, GA.

He will be remembered for his willingness to help others, his straightforward honesty, his

appreciation of fine bourbon, and his passion for food and travel.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Deal Funeral

Directors, with Father Douglas Clark officiating. Interment will follow at Bulloch Memorial

Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The ALS

Association.