Matthew Henry Shackelford, 50, of Gloucester Point, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on March 31, 2022. Matt was a 1990 graduate of Gloucester High School, who continued his studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he played baseball and earned his bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy. While working as a Recreation Therapist in Richmond, he returned to VCU to earn a master’s degree in Special Education. Matt taught middle and high school special education in Gloucester and at Riverside Behavioral Health Center before transitioning to Anheuser-Busch in Williamsburg. Matt was devoted to his family and friends, and he loved every sport imaginable. Over the years he coached baseball, hockey, and lacrosse, and in his free time played golf and tennis. He had a special place in his heart for the Yankees and Redskins, participating in the annual Beaver Cup Golf Tournament with friends, and vacationing with loved ones on Chincoteague Island. Matt volunteered his time and talents in the community, especially when it involved his children’s teams and activities in school or church, even while battling cancer. But above all, his Christian faith guided his steps in this life, and he has left an enduring example of how to love, persevere, and find humor through all of life’s ups and downs.

Matt was preceded in death by his father, Henry Edward Shackelford Jr.; brother-in-law, Michael Collier, and grandparents, Henry Shackelford Sr. and Graham and Cornelia Hogge. He is survived by his loving wife, Tiina Jonasch Shackelford; children, Miranda and Alix; mother, Sherry Hogge Shackelford; sister, Kristen Collier; nephews, Ethan and Aidan; grandmother, Geneva Shackelford; a much-loved Jonasch family and many treasured aunts, uncles, and cousins. Matt will also be missed by a host of dear friends and co-workers whose lives he enriched with his humor, love, generosity, and kindness. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church at 1860 Hayes Road, Gloucester Point, conducted by the Rev. Paul Song and Pastor John Dooley. In memory of Matt, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, or The National Brain Tumor Society (www.braintumor.org), 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, Mass. 02458.

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.