Gerald Lee Matt, age 92, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, surrounded by his beloved daughters. Born August 28, 1933, in the Chicago area, Gerald's life was defined by careful planning, precise execution, and a true joy for living.

After graduating from Pullman High School, Gerald began his career at the Illinois Central Railroad, where he met his future wife, Marilyn Ada Stacy, who was working there as a stenographer. Their romance moved quickly; they eloped on May 31, 1953, and remained happily married until Marilyn's passing on January 15, 2017. Shortly after their wedding, Gerald departed to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Air Force, where he became a crew chief for the formidable B-36 fleet.

Following his military service, Gerald went back to school to begin a career in architecture, which eventually evolved into a specialized focus on scheduling nuclear power plant construction. His expertise led him to found AmPow (American Power Management), a consulting firm he grew to 25 employees. Under his leadership, AmPow was noted for designing and scheduling a nuclear power plant construction project in record time.

In 1975, Gerald traded the Chicago skyline for the rolling hills of Leslie, Michigan, buying a farm and restoring a historic farmhouse. By 1977, the family moved to his Parma farm, where he successfully balanced the operations of a dairy farm with the demands of his growing consulting firm. When the nuclear construction boom paused in 1990, Gerald simply shifted gears, retiring from corporate consulting to focus on his next great project: his dream home.

Spending four years designing the house and another four years physically building it, Gerald and Marilyn created a stunning home on Allegan Lake in Allegan, Michigan, moving there in 2001. Never one to stay static, Gerald then turned his attention to the art of the automobile. From 2001 until his passing, Gerald oversaw the intricate "restomod" of his prized 1937 Mercedes-Benz Roadster, affectionately named "MATRIC 37". With skilled collaboration, he combined a Corvette C3 suspension with a 1978 Mercedes six-cylinder engine—creating a beautifully crafted machine that honored the past while embracing the future. In a fitting capstone to his life's work, the car took first place in the "Conservative Sport" class at the 2026 Detroit Autorama. Gerald lived to see his grand vision completed and celebrated, proving that sometimes the best way to move forward is to masterfully restore what came before.

Gerald was a supporter of Hillsdale College, he believed in the power of education and tradition. He was also a familiar face in downtown Allegan, where he sang in charity Caberet plays. While Marilyn did not take the stage with him, she was his supporter in the audience. His voice was perhaps best known, however, through his love of karaoke; he even recorded his own songs on a CD, leaving behind a musical legacy.

Gerald is survived by his three daughters: Carolyn Matt, Catherine Sabados (Daniel), and Jacqueline Weller (John); and his grandchildren: Matthew Weller, Mitchell Weller, and Leyna Flann (Jonas). He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn, brothers Duane and Lawrence, sister Norma Louise and mother Norma Jean.

He will be remembered not only for his engineering feats but for his love of car shows, his ability to "rachet jaw" about classic cars for hours, his passion for the stage, and his signature combination of a fine cigar and a strong Gin & Tonic. He believed in hard work, smart planning, and the joy of a job well done—and a good song sung with heart.

Gerald's life will be remembered on June 9th, 2026 at 1 pm with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. A celebration will be held immediately following at a nearby park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hillsdale College, a local automotive preservation society, or a veterans' organization.