Matthew Scott GUNNELS

1974 - 2014

GUNNELS

Matthew Scott Gunnels ~

The theater lost a bright and shining star on October 17, 2014, as Matthew Scott Gunnels lost his three and a half year battle with cancer.

Matthew was born April 26, 1974 in Kansas City, Missouri. At age six, Matthew began his career on Showboat Majestic as a Mini-Mummer with the University of Cincinnati Preparatory Department. He continued his acting career with Cincinnati Young Peoples Theater until age 18. Upon graduation from Winton Woods High School, Matthew graduated from Wright State University in 1996 with his degree in acting and directing. Matthew headed to Chicago to pursue his acting and directing career. Matt's most recent Jeff Award nominations were for "The Color Purple" and "Avenue Q".

Matthew is survived by his parents, Raymond and Sylvia Paragin of Fairfield and Jerry and Debbie Gunnels of Dayton Ohio, his maternal grandmother, Loraine Ebbert of Fairfield, his brother and sister -in-law, Michael and Amy Gunnels of Cincinnati, his Uncle Bryan and Aunt Cindy of Columbia, Missouri. Matt is also survived by his stepbrother Kevin and Michelle Paragin of Tipp City, Ohio and step-sister Kimberly Paragin of Nashville, Tennessee, Matt's wonderful partner, Fernando Alvarez and his best furry friend, Beef and extended family and caring loving friends.

Matt is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jack 'Pappy" Ebbert of Lehighton, PA and maternal grandparents Dora and Harry Gunnels of Kansas City, Missouri.

Matthew's final curtain call and Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Covedale Theater, 4990 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 at 1:00 P.M. Reception will follow at "The Farm" on Anderson Ferry Road.

All contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

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