Matthew Eastman, 72, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Sunday, November 29, 2015, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon, Monday, November 30, 2015 at the Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation Synagogue with Rabbi Richard Baroof officiating. Interment will follow in the Luke Cemetery, Ben Hill County, with the Rev. B.J. Funk officiating.
Mr. Eastman was born December 4, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Samuel & Mildred Mathios Eastman. A graduate of Fitzgerald High School, Mr. Eastman attended South Georgia College and the University of Georgia. While attending UGA, he was a member of Tau Epsilon Phi. He was co-owner of Fitzgerald Underwear Corporation as well as the founder and President of Eastman Gun Shows, Inc. He was the author of “Browning Sporting Arms of Distinction 1903-1992” and “Matt Eastman’s Guide to Browning Belgium Sporting Firearms 1903-1994”. Mr. Eastman was also the only Browning authority given permission by the Browning family to reproduce firearms reference books. He was an avid supporter of Shriners’ Hospitals for Children, graciously allowing Shriners to collect money at his gun shows. This benevolent act resulted in well over $100,000 being donated to the charity by his gun show patrons.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Paulette Tucker Eastman of Fitzgerald; two daughters and their spouses: Stephanie Eastman Kimbrell & David of Tifton and Mande Eastman Bishop & Mike of Fitzgerald; three grandchildren: Austin Kimbrell, Claire Kimbrell, and Nick Bishop; and a brother, Leonard Eastman of Delray Beach, Florida. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Suzanne Mizrachi.
The family invites friends to gather at the family home following the interment to share a meal together in Matt’s memory. Those desiring to send memorials in Mr. Eastman's memory may send them to the Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation, c/o Phil Perlis, The Big Store, 346 Main Street, Tifton, GA 31794 or to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald GA 31750.