Matthew Scott McGaughey

Matthew Scott McGaughey passed away on April 30, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones, at SSM St. Joseph's Hospital, Lake St. Louis. He was 45 years old, born July 31, 1979, in Paragould, Arkansas. He was a graduate of Brookland High School in Brookland, AR, and Arkansas State University, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Matt was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. His mischievous sense of humor kept everyone on their toes from the time he was a little boy. As an avid sports fan, he loved the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, and Arkansas Razorbacks. Always stylish, Matt took great pride in his appearance, and expressed himself through his clothes (including an impressive collection of over 350 pairs of socks) and the care he took of his cars and trucks. He loved music, and was a lifelong fan of 80s rock (with occasional forays into rap, country, and Harry Connick, Jr.). He was very proud of his Irish heritage, and enjoyed researching Celtic traditions. Matt was a discerning man, very particular about the people he surrounded himself with, which made him intensely loyal to those he chose and loved – when you were in you were in. His family loved him dearly and will miss his bright blue eyes and playful smile that always seemed to hold a secret. He was a one-of-a-kind good man. Sláinte.
Matt is survived by his wife Elizabeth Smithwick McGaughey of St. Peters, MO; son Jackson and daughter Charlotte (Charlie); parents Kevin and Angelia McGaughey of St. Peters; brother Nathan McGaughey and brother-in-law Luke Hogan of New York, NY; maternal grandmother Georgia Fletcher and aunt Shelia Fletcher of St. Charles; uncle Kelly (Wanda) McGaughey of Brookland, AR; first cousins Heath (MariAnn) and Kyle (Autumn) McGaughey of Lake City, AR; father-in-law and mother-in-law Bill and Cecile Smithwick of Pine Bluff, AR; sister-in-law Jennifer (Chad) Lynch, nephew and niece Connor and Katlyn Lynch of Jonesboro, AR, as well as many other cousins, lifelong friends, and fraternity brothers. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather B.J. Fletcher, and paternal grandparents Charles and Carol McGaughey.
Memorial service will be held Monday, May 5, at Hutchens-Stygar Funeral Home, 5987 Mid Rivers at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be 12:00-2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McGaughey Children's Memorial Fund to support Matt's beloved children, Jackson and Charlie, as they grow. Contributions will help provide for their future needs and education.
To donate, please click here.