Danny Lee Mattox

Danny Lee Mattox, age 78, passed from this life on December 5, 2025, in Golden, Colorado. He was born on October 8, 1947, in Alcorn County, Mississippi, to the late Oliver Lee Mattox Jr. and Joyce Mills Mattox.

Dan grew up in the Kossuth community of Mississippi in a loving Christian home. For all of Dan’s life, he was one of those rare people that everyone seemed to instantly like. As a boy, he took advantage of his likeability by visiting the homes of the nearby farmers to ‘see what was on their supper table’ to then stop by his grandparents’ home to eat once again. The family liked to joke that all those extra helpings may well have contributed to his great height. From a young age, he developed a deep love for the Lord, his family, and his community, values that would shape his entire life.

Dan graduated from Kossuth High School in 1965 and learned about hard work from the examples set by his father and grandfather in the family seed mill in Kossuth. In January 1966, Dan married his beloved wife, Trichia Wegmann Mattox of Corinth, MS.

In March of 1967, Dan and Trichia welcomed their son, William “Sonny” Mattox into the world. Following Sonny’s birth, Dan continued his studies at Mississippi State University, an institution that would remain close to his heart for the rest of his life. Dan graduated from MSU in 1970 with a degree in Agricultural Education.

After completing his degree, Dan began his professional career with Farmers Home Administration in Benton County as a County Supervisor. In May of 1971, he and Trichia welcomed their daughter Danene “Dana” Mattox. Dan had a great career with the FHA and was later promoted to both Superintendent of Farmers Programs and Acting State Director which required a move to Clinton, MS. Dan spent 9 years in Clinton raising his family, growing in his faith at Morrison Heights Baptist Church as a Deacon and learning a new game that became a passion: golf.

In addition to a rewarding career, Dan and Trichia built a life and home anchored in faith and laughter during their 59 years of marriage. While Dan was a good man, he could not predict the future. On a 1980 road trip from Mississippi to Yellowstone, the family was watching cadets march at the Air Force Academy. Trichia joked about Dana marrying “a cadet someday”. Dan’s face dropped and he quietly replied “no”—a moment made all the more ironic when Dana married an Academy graduate 13 years later. On that same trip, when the children squabbled in the back seat and Trichia lectured them, Dan threatened to pull over and make all three get out, a memory that still brings smiles.

As a father, Dan was gentle but firm. If discipline was needed, he would read a Bible passage to patiently explain why the behavior was wrong, helping his children understand how to make better choices using God’s word. Victories were celebrated at home with his homemade biscuits, announced with his joyful shout of “BISCUITS!” that woke the whole house.

In 1986, Dan and Trichia moved the family to Starkville, drawn by an excellent job opportunity and the chance to raise their children in a small town with a slower pace of life. Being closer to his parents was important to Dan, but perhaps most of all, living in Starkville meant he could watch his beloved Bulldogs play live. Starkville was the place that Dan and Trichia could truly call home, they joined First Baptist Church of Starkville and found themselves embraced by a welcoming community. Over the years they remained active members of FBC, faithfully serving and building lasting relationships within the church family.

In Starkville, Dan continued his work with FHA/USDA and earned the title of Area Director, ultimately retiring in 2004 while in this role. Dan’s retirement gave him the freedom to help care for his ailing father and to realize his lifelong dream of starting a cattle ranch in Alcorn County and spending time working on the family’s farm. Retirement also gave Dan the chance to reengage in MSU campus life by driving students on the campus shuttle.

In January of 2022, Dan and Trichia left Starkville and moved to Colorado to be near their daughter and receive the medical care they both needed. While the decision to move to Colorado was heartbreaking, they continued to receive love and encouragement from their friends and family in Mississippi, helping them stay connected to their hometown, which meant so much to them during this challenging period.

Dan was a gentle giant that listened more than he spoke, always choosing his words with care, and never saying a bad word about anyone. Despite being a physically imposing person, he was universally loved. It’s difficult to find a person who knew Dan that had anything other than a positive feeling about him. Dan wore his faith on his sleeve and emanated Christ-like love for those lucky enough to be around him. He was an exceptional son, brother, father, Pop-Pop and great-grandfather.

On most mornings, you could find Dan outside, tending his beautifully groomed lawn with pride, listening for birds, and waving to his neighbors as he rode his cherished John Deere mower. He delighted in sharing nature with his grandchildren, teaching each of them to drive a golf cart across the grass, and making up stories about trolls during long walks. He never missed a chance to pick up litter along the way, quietly caring for God’s green earth.

Dan’s most important legacy he left his family and community is the example he set as a man of faith. If we were ‘picking teams’ for the Christians, we’d make Dan a first-round selection. His kindness, approachability, and willingness to help others truly embodied Christ’s example. Dan’s grandchildren

were fortunate to see how a man treats his spouse and family and to reflect on his example when choosing spouses of their own.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, O.L. Jr. and Joyce Mattox and Trichia’s parents Emile Wegmann and Elaine Rogers Wegmann. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Trichia Mattox; son, William “Sonny” Mattox; daughter, Dana Mattox Bair (Chris); grandchildren Maddie Bair, Walker Mattox Kirby (Brian), Jack Bair, Kate Mattox Gates (River), Caroline Mattox, Vann Bair, and Libby Mattox; a great-granddaughter, Summer Gates; his brother, Dr. Johnny Mattox (Jean); plus nephews, nieces and friends.

Trichia and the family wanted to offer special thanks to the staff of Golden Pond Assisted Living and to Bloom Hospice for their incredible care and dedication.

A funeral service celebrating Dan’s life will be held at Union Baptist Church , 324 C.R. 560 Kossuth, MS on Saturday December 13, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be begin at 12 noon. Burial will follow the service. A reception welcoming friends and family to gather and celebrate Dan’s life will be held immediately following the committal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org

Online condolences can be left at www.MemorialCorinth.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Memorial Funeral Home.