Max Earl Mattox was born Jan. 30, 1928, in Broken Bow to William and Virginia (Apperson) Mattox. He passed away April 2, 2014, at the age of 86.
Max was a man who dearly loved his family and his Lord. His children and grandchildren could tell you stories for hours of things he has done with them and to them.
For example, Max lost part of a thumb in a corn picker. He loved to give them "horsy bites" with his stub thumb! Or he'd ask them to take off his boots for him and he would curl his toes so they couldn't get them off. They also told how they could always climb up on Grandpa for some loving.
He took great pleasure in spoiling all of them. He would cradle the tiniest baby and then swing an 8-pound sledge hammer in one hand. He was a loving man to all people, animals and the land.
He lived on a farm all 86 of his years, except for two when he served in the Korean War. He loved horses but had a wide variety of animals over the years. Milk cows, stock cows, pigs and chickens to name a few. There was always a dog or two around also. His family was known as the egg family.
Max met Donna, the love of his life for 61 years, while in Korea. They were pen pals and when he came back he told his family he was going to Seattle, Wash., to get his wife. He loved to tell of Donna's early cooking experiences. Donna made a loaf of bread that was hard. It was so hard that a loaded wagon of corn couldn't break it. Donna loves to share when she was delivering one of her children, Max told the Dr. he could deliver a calf quicker than that. The Dr. informed him this wasn't a cow and asked him to leave.
We all loved his sense of humor and ornery spirit. Even until his last hours that orneriness showed through. As he lay in his hospital bed he had us all laughing. And from the stories as a kid he had that same attitude. We remember his sharing stories of him and his siblings playing cowboys and Indians, and someone being tied to the wagon wheels.
Max had the biggest heart and would help any neighbor, friend or family. He would fix anything from cuckoo clocks to mowers to 4-wheelers to tractors. As long as he tore it apart he could always get it back together and running. He loved his many tools - just ask anyone who borrowed one.
Max was a member of the Nazarene Church for many years until it closed, when he then became a member of the Church of God.
Max was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; one sister; and an infant daughter, Gaylene.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Mattox of Broken Bow; daughter, Deborah Mattox of Broken Bow; three sons, Russell Mattox and special friend, Dawn, of Broken Bow, David (Stacey) Mattox of Broken Bow, and Phillip (Dana) Mattox of Lubbock, Texas; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dale (Beverly) Mattox of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Joe (Neva) Mattox of Broken Bow; sisters, Darlene Mattox of Broken Bow, and Carolyn (Roger) Miles of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Louella Mattox of Bakersfield, Calif.; and brother-in-law, Orville Harrold of Broken Bow.
Funeral services were Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow with Pastor Doug Saner officiating. Burial with military honors was in Broken Bow Cemetery, with Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of arrangements.

Published in Custer County Chief, April 10, 2014