Matthew Jacob Breaux

Matthew Jacob Breaux (“Matty”), 37, passed away on January 11, 2026. Matthew was born on March 5, 1988, to Tina Demarest Barrett and Gary Jean Breaux in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Matthew means “gift from God” and justifiably so.

Matthew attended Moss Bluff Elementary and Junior High before moving to Grand Lake High School his freshman year where he was an honor graduate. He continued his education at McNeese State University, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Entrepreneurship.

Following Hurricane Laura, Matthew moved to Houston where he established his own “home”. There Matt embraced his independence and built a life he truly enjoyed and loved. He flourished as he developed loving friendships that also became his family; a family of love, acceptance, support, compassion, encouragement, inclusion and unwavering commitment to Matty. To this family Matt lovingly became known only as “Matty”, a name they gave him that he loved and embraced.

Matthew was an old soul, a gentle, kind, caring, intuitive, empathetic and oh so forgiving person. He loved with his whole heart which sometimes caused him deep pain. Matt gave everything he had to not only those who he knew and loved but also to anyone in need.

When Matt’s lifelong Doctor in Houston, Dr. Gary Brock learned of Matt’s passing, he wrote “I’m just gutted. I loved him deeply. He was a real blessing to me and to our team.” When I said that I prayed that Matt was with Christ and experiencing all the things he desired and could finally do, Dr. Brock’s response was “We’ve got a promise that he’s doing just that!”

Matt was extremely determined to learn things, to always be well read and educated, and rest assured, if he believed something, he stood by it tooth and nail. Tom and I couldn’t debate him on things we disagreed with him about so we’d solicit others Matt respected to debate on our behalf, primarily Dr. Brock. Matt stood toe to toe in his beliefs and could cite you all the research validating his position. He was a tough cookie in those strong beliefs.

Enjoyably one of the last “fun” things Matt decided to master was the art of playing pool. He LOVED this one sport he was capable of doing and he mastered it well. He loved playing in local pool tournaments at Rudyard’s and the “old” Cecil’s in Houston. Imagine Tom’s surprise, when always priding himself in his own abilities to play pool, Matt beat him regularly.

Besides all Matt’s trials, struggles, pain, and challenges, he had a laugh like no other! If you know Matt, you all know that deep gutted laugh. When you think of the many things of Matt, you will undoubtedly think of his laugh. Remember him for that laugh because as all things Matthew, he embraced that unique laugh.

Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Tina Demarest Barrett, her loving and devoted husband and Matt’s amazing stepfather, Tom, and Gary Jean Breaux; siblings Sydney Leigh Barrett Collins and her husband Will, Tyler Kade Breaux, and Dylan Parker Breaux; grandparents, Emelie Breaux, Nancy Barrett, W. Thomas Barrett Jr. and his wife Beverly. Matt is also survived by his very special Uncle Timothy Alex Demarest as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who were each so special in his loving heart, each for the unique relationships he shared with them.

Matty is also survived by his “Houston” Momma who stepped in throughout his life and with whom he shared a deep, unique connection, Julie Dore McNeill. Matty’s family also included many special friends, including Matt’s lifelong friend, Andrew Joseph Singer, and his Houston family and friends including Ranjit “Bohb” Jadhav, Robert McCarter Smith (“Burdy”), Christopher Smith, and Chase Gaines.

Matthew was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Nathan Carroll and Beatrice Marie Demarest and his paternal grandfather, Larry Vernon Breaux.

Pallbearers are Andrew Joseph Singer, Tyler Kade Breaux, Dylan Parker Breaux, Jackson Todd Janosko, “Bohb” Ranjit Jadhav, and Chase Gaines.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church at 4:00 p.m., with Monsignor Gaddy officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday at Johnson Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 3:15 p.m., with a Celebration of Life beginning at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church or the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.