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Matthew L. Tully
1969 - 2018
Matthew L. Tully
1969 - 2018
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Matthew Tully Obituary
Carmel - Matthew L. Tully, 49 of Carmel, passed away Monday, October 29, 2018, at his home. Matt was born September 12, 1969, in Washington, DC, and he grew up in Gary and Portage, IN. He was a 1992 graduate of Indiana University.
Since 2002, Matt had been a reporter and columnist for the Indy Star. Previously, he worked in Washington, DC, for 5 years covering the U.S. Senate for Congressional Quarterly. He began his career as a reporter for the Gary Post-Tribune in Northwest Indiana in 1992.
In 2012, Matt authored Searching for Hope, which told the powerful stories of students and faculty at Manual High School in Indianapolis. In addition to providing political commentary on MSNBC, NPR and numerous other national media outlets, Matt was named Indiana Journalist of the Year in 2008 and won the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism in 2010.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, November 11, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel.
Matt is survived by his wife of 21 years, Valerie; son, Reid; mother and step father, Jeannie and Wayne Novak; father and stepmother, Richard and Dottie Tully; brothers, Jeff (wife, Bren) Tully and Andrew (wife, Marie) Novak; sister-in-law, Lisa (husband, Thomas) Harrison; nieces, Wrigley Tully and Megan Harrison; nephew, Joshua Harrison.
Memorial contributions may be made to a scholarship fund the family is establishing in Matt's honor, and envelopes will be available at the Celebration of Life. Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Margaret Smith
May 2, 2019
I am late to this but I still want to share my condolences to the family. I am one of the many students in Manual High School when Mr. Tully was there. At the time I was angry, bitter, and emotional teen who felt the world was against her, but then I read the article and felt that he was giving us a voice, but me being an angsty teen, I was upset because I felt it wasn't my story. I wanted to message him, and tell him that all of us appreciated all that he has done. He wrote the truth, and as I read his book, I feel awful for not just talking to him. Thank Mr. Tully, for listening, and as I read his book, I found that he was listening even more. Thank you, even though it's too late, thank you.
Emerson Allen
November 16, 2018
Michael Pointer
November 13, 2018
Matt was a colleague of mine for many years before I left the Star in 2015. I always enjoyed talking to him and respected his work. My sympathies to his many friends and family during this difficult time.
Mariann Bernlohr
November 6, 2018
I will miss most, his perspective and willingness to speak his truth. He had a unique perspective and being able to put that perspective into words, in a way that made people feel something, made them act. It also must be underscored that his intentions and calls to action were rooted in the greater good. That combination of conviction, courage and talent is what I will miss and what this city will miss. He was just a really good person, with a lot of talent and a big heart who loved his family and his home.
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karen king
November 6, 2018
What a huge loss for our community and his family. Matt was a wonderfully talented columnist and he will be missed. May his memory be a blessing for his wife and son, and may he rest in peace.
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