Amos Lee Mattox

Amos Lee Mattox
Class of 1941

Amos Lee Mattox, 79, of Terre Haute, died at 6:46 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, in his residence. He was born on May 25, 1929, in Vigo County, to John Clayton Mattox and Myrtle Mae Bridgewater Mattox. He was a 1941 graduate of Fontanet High School. He retired in 1986 as an extruder at Hercules and also from American Vitrified. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Marlene Hayne Mattox; son, Gary Lee Mattox; daughters, Vicki Lynn Larson and Cheryl Ann Wrightsman; sister, June Mattox Williams; five grandchildren, Holly Marie Mattox, Amos Joseph “A.J.” Mattox, Elizabeth Ruth Mattox, Glennie Wrightsman and Dusty Wrightsman; four great-grandchildren; and his best buddies, Madison and Gavin.  A special thanks to his son-in-law, Danny Larson, and daughter-in-law, Mary Mattox.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Cora Briddick, Chester Mattox, Hester Cuthbertson, Mable Ames, John Edgar Mattox, Herschel Mattox, Virgil Mattox and Maxine Mattox.  During his military service in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division, he received the Combat Infantryman Badge for excellent performance of duty under enemy fire in Korea. The 2nd Infantry Division, which gained fame in two of the hardest-fought battles of the Korean War. It captured “Heartbreak Ridge” in October 1951 and took “Old Baldy Hill.” He was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon with one campaign star and United Nations service ribbon.  He was a beloved husband, daddy and grandpa and always there for his family with his strength and his big hugs and his smiling face. He fought hard not to leave us, but God called him home. He adored Holly, A.J. and Elizabeth. They were his best buddies. He is our hero. Daddy, you’re a 1,000 flagger.  Services are 11 a.m. Saturday in Mattox-Wood Funeral Home, 4660 N. Lafayette Avenue, with Pastor Joe Mattox officiating. Entombment is in Roselawn Memorial Park with military rites at the cemetery conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars 972.