Obituary of Matt Pulley, Little Rock, AR: Pulaski Academy, Family, and Friends Lament the Death of Distinguished Teacher at 49: Continue Reading

 Matt Pulley, 49, died unexpectedly on August 25, 2025, shocking the Pulaski Academy and the larger Little Rock community. Faith, love for his family, and a strong devotion to others characterized Matt's life as a loving husband, father, and coworker.

His wife, Elizabeth, their daughter, Maddy Kate, a junior at Ouachita Baptist University, and their son, Tyler, a senior at Pulaski Academy, are all left behind.

As Assistant Head of Enrollment at Pulaski Academy for almost twenty years, Matt's friendly demeanor and warm smile frequently formed the first impression that families had of the school.

He had the unique ability to instantly make people feel comfortable and like they belonged, according to his friends and coworkers. According to a statement from the school, "Many families' earliest impressions of Pulaski Academy have been shaped by Assistant Head of Enrollment Matt Pulley's kind manner and broad smile for the past 18 years."

As we keep his wife, Elizabeth, and their kids, Tyler ('26) and Maddy Kate ('23), in our prayers during this trying time, we offer our sincere condolences. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matt, a husband, father, friend, and coworker who made a lasting impression at PA.

The innumerable tributes coming in from staff, students, and families demonstrate that influence. One parent said, "My girls go to PA because of Matt." After relocating to this area, we visited several schools. We knew we were in the correct spot because of his passion for students and the PA community. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. The intensity of your grief is incomprehensible, and he was a wonderful human being.

The people who knew Matt the best say he was sincere, modest, devoted, and happy. His sense of humor brightened every meeting, and his laughter could fill a room. With his humor, his generosity, and his constant presence, he had the power to transform everyday events into unforgettable ones.

According to a close acquaintance, "you knew you were going to have a fantastic time if Matt was around." A pillar of Matt's life was his faith. His life was characterized by compassion, integrity, and love for his family, all of which were manifestations of his strong dedication to Jesus.

His entire universe revolved on Elizabeth and the children. Everyone who knew Tyler could see how proud he was of Tyler's achievements and how much he admired Maddy Kate's commitment. In addition to his career and family, Matt had a strong interest in football, especially Baylor football, which he followed with fervor.

Friends, coworkers, church family, and loved ones have united to assist the Pulley family as the community copes with this unexpected and devastating loss. There is a fundraiser set up to support Tyler, Maddy, and Elizabeth.

Even though he leaves a huge hole, we are still clinging to the hope that Matt lived with and guided us toward. All of us—family, friends, teammates, classmates, coworkers, and church family—can come together for Matt's family at this time through this fundraising, the organizers said.

The lives that Matt Pulley impacted will carry on his legacy. His selflessness, humor, and faith will continue to inspire his family and the Pulaski Academy community. The love and hope he lived with endure despite the huge vacuum left by his demise.