Cristopher Matthew Simpson (Matt), 47, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on November 28, 2024. Matt was born in Springfield, MO on July 13, 1977. He was the son of Jimmie and Catherine (née Pruitt) Simpson.
Matt enjoyed his childhood and often reminisced about his fondest memories. He enjoyed playing with his Star Wars figurines, collecting baseball cards, and playing Nintendo. As a child, Matt enjoyed going to the Plaza to see the Christmas lights and attending many sporting events with his family. Matt was a gifted saxophone player in high school and later in college.
Matt attended the University of Kansas where he proudly participated in the KU marching band.
He served as a summer missionary for the North American Mission board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Washington DC during the summers of 1998 and 1999. Matt then attended Oklahoma Baptist University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in December of 2001. He went on to serve as a Journeyman for the International Mission Board in Central Asia from January 2002 until August 2004. Matt returned to the Kansas City area and continued his studies at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity in May 2008. After completing his education, Matt went on to faithfully serve as a Pastor for 12 years to several churches including Cowgill Baptist Church in Cowgill, MO; Union Baptist Church in Mexico, MO; and First Baptist Church of Orrick in Orrick, MO. Matt was ordained to Gospel Ministry in May 2011 at Union Baptist Church in Mexico, MO. In April 2023,
Matt started a speech therapy practice with his wife Tiffany.
Matt was the beloved husband of Tiffany (née Darby) Simpson for 18 years. They were married on October 7, 2006 in a beautiful chapel at Dogwood Canyon in Lampe, MO. Together they built a beautiful life fostering 5 children, ministering to 3 churches, and starting a speech therapy practice.
Matt and Tiffany’s marriage was centered on their Lord Jesus Christ. Matt was not only Tiffany’s loving husband but was also her very best friend. Matt was a constant source of love, support, laughter, and spiritual leadership for Tiffany throughout their life together. Tiffany will forever cherish the memories they made, including raising their foster children, being partners in ministry, taking Disney trips, watching movies, listening to music, and laughing and talking together for hours on end.
Matt had many hobbies and interests. Everyone who knew him knew of his extreme passion for sports, especially Royals baseball, KU basketball, and Chiefs football. Matt greatly enjoyed
collecting memorabilia from his favorite teams, Star Wars, and Disney movies. He enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music; however, he would mostly be found bobbing his head, whistling, and even singing to The Beatles or The Beach Boys. Matt was very witty and had an
understated sense of humor that will be sorely missed. He had a quiet passion for life and he knew how to tell a great story.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
