Details
About Dr. Carl J. “CJ” Metz
Dr. Carl J. “CJ” Metz, age 45, passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2026.
CJ was born March 26, 1980, in North Platte, Nebraska, to Margaret and David Metz. He attended St. Patrick’s High School, where his early curiosity, determination, and drive were already evident. He went on to pursue his lifelong passion for dentistry and was accepted into the Nebraska Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP), earning one of only two pre-dental scholarships awarded that year. CJ received his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Chadron State College and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry in 2005.
CJ moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2005, where he began his dental career and later founded Vibrant Dentistry in 2010. His practice was built on exceptional care, innovation, and meaningful patient relationships. CJ was consistently recognized by his peers as a top general and cosmetic dentist in the Phoenix metro area. He was a Kois Center graduate and, most recently, a member of the 2025 American Academy of Clear Aligners Fellowship Class and a Key Opinion Leader board member.
Outside of dentistry, CJ loved the outdoors, travel, music, art, Husker football, and most of all, his family and friends. Though he lived across the country, his close connection to family never wavered.
CJ will be remembered for his bear hugs, quick wit, compassion, brilliance, and his gift for making people feel included and cared for. His perfectionism, often taken just a bit too far, was part of what made him who he was and something those closest to him smiled about often. Above all, he wanted people to be happy, and if they weren’t, he made it his mission to change that.
CJ is survived by his father, David Metz; his sisters, Katherine Rector (Joshua) and Mary Grace Metz (Robert Miller); and his niece, Lillian Rector. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Metz, and his niece, Abigail Rector.
Because CJ touched so many lives, services will be held in both Arizona and Lincoln, Nebraska.
A Memorial Mass will be held in Arizona on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with a reception to follow at
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
3550 E Knox Rd
Phoenix, AZ
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at North American Martyrs Catholic Church,
1101 Isaac Dr, Lincoln, NE, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with a reception to follow.
For those unable to attend in person, the Lincoln Funeral Mass will be available via live stream through the North American Martyrs website.
Burial services will follow at approximately 2:00 p.m. at
Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum
3880 L St, Lincoln, NE
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in CJ’s memory to support causes that reflected his heart for service and his passion for dentistry. Donations can be made either directly in his name or entrusted to the family to honor his passions.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Dental Clinic provides essential dental care to individuals and families in need. CJ generously volunteered his time and skills there to help patients who otherwise might not have access to care, and this clinic embodies his belief that oral health should be accessible to all. https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/?form=donate
Donations may also be made to the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry Dental Student Mission Projects Dedicated Fund, which supports dental mission work and outreach. CJ participated in dental mission care, including a service trip to Guatemala, and he always hoped to continue expanding his involvement in mission-based dentistry. Supporting this fund honors his lifelong commitment to service, global outreach, and providing compassionate dental care to underserved communities.
https://secure.nufoundation.org/give?fundid=01174120&sitename=UNMC%20DEN%20Multiple%20Departments&wprefer=https://nufoundation.org/?s=dental+fund
For those who prefer to send donations to the family, they may be mailed to:
Mary Metz
130 East Cherrywood Drive
Lincoln, NE 68510
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
10 comments
Peter Scherr
My deepest condolences go out to CJ’s family and friends. I knew him for just a year at Chadron State College where we had some fun times together. We met a year or two later when he happened to be in Hastings and came to my first art show at Graham Gallery. He bought a piece of mine and I’ll never forget his enthusiasm for the work I was doing. I learned of his passing today while reading the alumni letter that came to the house for my spouse – from North Platte St Pats.
I will keep the memories I have with him as a blessing.
Roberto & Jeannette Ongaro
When we found Dr. Metz at Vibrant Dentistry 13 years ago we immediately knew that we had found our home for dental care. He and his staff exuded, professionalism, compassion, confidence, and the highest quality expert care. Their service was so amazing that when we moved to Alaska, we made special trips to Arizona to continue seeing Dr. Metz. He understood our individual needs and circumstances. Moreover, he genuinely cared and went the extra mile to ensure were were taken care of. It was evident that he obsessed over our complete comfort and satisfaction. His meticulous dedication to excellence was admirable and apparent. He demanded greatness from himself and his staff and we were the beneficiaries. He made us smile; he made the world smile …in more ways than one. Thank you Dr. Metz we are eternally grateful for having known you and we will miss you dearly.
May God bless the Metz family and his wonderful staff at Vibrant Dentistry.
Karen M Krofchek
I was completely devastated by the news of Dr Metz passing. He always treated me more like a friend than a patient. I would be panicked about having any procedure and he always made me feel comfortable. I would always brag to my friends about what a great dentist I have and have recommended him to many friends. He will be sorely missed ❤️
Hodges family
Our heartfelt condolences for our sweet friend, CJ. My husband and I met CJ in Arizona in 2006. At the time, I had just finished my degree in musical theater and was working at a dinner theater performing in Big River. CJ was a supportive and funny friend who greeted me after the show with his warm smile and all the jokes recently, we had a beautiful conversation with him at an event, always so smart, friendly, witty and kind. He will be missed and we are so very sorry for his many family, friends, and co workers whose lives he touched
Melissa Wolf
Dr Metz thank you for showing us all how to be.
Kind, funny, honest, and caring of all.
A true honor to know you.
Your light will shine on forever. Rest in paradise.
Joe & Laurane Sotelo
So so sorry for your loss.
We have lost another GREAT HUMAN BEING. He treated me and more impotantly my Family with great care and respect. He truely cared about what he did and us as patients. We had first met Dr Metz before he moved to the curent location in Mesa. He was on Baseline and McClintock. He moved so we followed. When I lost my Mom then my Dad, he comforted me. We spoke as friends. Then when his Mother passed we also talked. I truly and whole wholeheartedly considered him a friend not just “my Dentist”. He always greated me as you would a friend not not just a patient. He genuinely cared about me and my family. He definitely touched our lives, and we will never forget him.
Now this saying that I said to him a few times means even more; THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND!!
Laura Housley
Dr. Metz will be so missed. He was an exceptional human being who cared about people. Many in our family went to him for care. Our son was a patient of Dr. Metz’s and when Dr. Metz learned that he was thinking about going into dentistry, he invited Grant to shadow him and really made him feel important. Grant got to practice putting a filling into a pretend tooth and brought that home and showed all of us. The last time I was in the office Dr. Metz really took the time to hear about our family and a recent passing of our grandson. So compassionate. Also, he sincerely cared about my teeth more than I did! Our sincerest condolences to his family. He was a remarkable man.
Ryanne
I was shocked to learn of his passing. He was a wonderful dentist whom I saw for many years. My deepest condolences.
James Boutchyard
I would like to leave my heartfelt condolences to a very good man and truly talented dentist. When I first met Dr. Metz we hit it off and he did an amazing job with my dental needs. He will be missed and God bless his eternal journey to Gods promise land.
William Drozda
Most sincere condolences.
Dr Metz was a great person and unbelievable dentist. When I moved from Chicago to Arizona I was in the middle of a tooth implant and was unsure of who to see for follow up and treatment.
My surgeon called the implant manufacturing rep and she said there is only one dentist they recommend and it was Doctor Metz .
I formed a great bond with Doctor Metz as a person and dentist and continued with his services for the last 11 years driving 60 miles each way.
That’s how much trust I had in him and appreciated our friendship.
He will be greatly missed.