Stan MATTOX Obituary

October 20, 1925 - September 12, 2013 Stan Mattox, 87, of Rancho Mirage, California passed away on Sept. 12 from complications of thyroid cancer. He was born to Sam and Sarah Mattox of East Los Angeles, attended Roosevelt High, entered the Air Force, and then matriculated to USC on the GI Bill. Upon graduation, Stan started a sporting goods business, GSC, and he would spend the next 60 years dabbling in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. Shortly after starting GSC, Stan met the love of his life, Mary Lou Jackson; they married in 1954 and celebrated their 58th anniversary in September of 2012. Mary Lou suffered from multiple sclerosis, and throughout her long illness and subsequent death last November, Stan lovingly cared for her. Shortly after marrying, Stan and Mary Lou settled in San Pedro, and they raised three fortunate children, Scot, Tod, and Jill. Stan was both a loving father and doting "Papa" to grandchildren Ashleigh, Rozlyn, Taylor, Alex, and Nick. In addition to his family, Stan's passions were his numerous friendships, industrial real estate, tennis, and USC football. Wherever he went, Stan invariably met friends; they were captivated by the twinkle in his eye, his warm smile, and his willingness to see only the best in all those he met. Preceded in death by his son Scot in 2004, Stan is survived by his children, Tod and Jill, and his sister, Joan Ballard, of Carlsbad. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Stan's name to PanCAN, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Sep. 16 to Sep. 18, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Stan MATTOX

Not sure what to say?





Stan was a "shirttail" relative of mine. My sister Marilynn was married to his Uncle, Al Fierman. We attended USC together, worked together at Fiermans' Sport Shop in San Pedro, lived together in Peggy Slater's San Pedro house during the summer of 1951, while she sailed in Transpac of that year and we palled around together after marriage to our respective spouses. In recent years we steadily emailed each other. It was my good fortune that we were "forever friends". He was everythin his obit said he was and more,
.I love you Stan






















we emailed each other steadily in recent years. It was my good fortune that we were "forever friends". He was everything his obit said he was and more. I love you Stan. Bill Steel

September 26, 2013

I'm a fan of Stan's & have always enjoyed talking to him. I have great memories of Stan & Mary Lou from our PBC days. Gods with both of you.
You two are missed.
Annie Ruth

September 24, 2013

For information regarding a Celebration of Life event honoring Stan, please email [email protected]

Jane Mattox

September 23, 2013

Just learned of the loss of a true friend and a gentlemen to the core...Met Stan in the early '80s and over the next 28+ years interacted with Stan in the Commercial Real Estate arena....Honesty, Integrity, always with a twinkle in his eye endeared Sam to anyone he touched. My heartfelt condolences to the family... We will miss you Stan...Your legacy will live on...We'll always be looking up for direction. I know you're up there with all your loved ones...and our dear friend Byrle....working on the next deal....

God Bless

Don Kustudia
Commercial Property Investments

September 23, 2013

Stan,
We considered you a part of our family from the day Mary Lou brought you into our life. The way you treated mom and dad and took care of Mary Lou in her illness made us realize what an exceptional person you were. We are fortunate to have been a part of your life and will miss you greatly. I will not go into your many virtues because any one you touched knows what they are. I will never forget our times together and those wonderful dinners you would buy when Notre Dame beat S.C.

You were a class act Stan and we will
never forget you.
Love
George and Josie

September 22, 2013

We will really miss Stan. He and Mary Lou were a very important part of our church and we all loved them. They were a kind and outstanding couple and people and we loved them very much. God bless them both.

Christ Parish of the Desert

September 22, 2013

Speaking of Stan's passion for tennis, and to lighten the mood just a bit here, this is an enduring Stan "The Man" Mattox (and Musial himself should feel honored to share that nickname with such a man) memory of mine---and it is making me smile as I relate it here---and I have always referred to him as "Stan The Man" (in return, he tagged me with: "Tiger"); even to Stan The Man himself:

About 3 or 4 years back, Stan and I had a meeting set one morning "down at the yard", as he referred to a property on Lincoln St. in Banning. I arrived first, and was sitting in my truck when he drove up. I was talking on the phone, and watched him get out of his car, and approach where I was parked. He obviously was having a problem walking---since he was exhibiting all the signs of a fella who was rather "stoved up"--he had quite a limp going on.

I ended my call, and walked over to meet him in an attempt to shorten the distance he had to travel, what with him being stoved up and what not.

First thing out of my mouth was: "What the heck happened to you?"

And he said: "I took a spill."

On further questioning he admitted having fallen down while playing tennis. Then with even more questioning on my part, he admitted to having fallen down "trying to jump over the net after winning a match"...

As I pressed him further, he THEN fessed up to having fallen down, jumping over the net after winning a match...against a female.

To this very day I still view that as "Stan The Man's Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher Moment", frozen in my mind's eye for posterity!

Stan was forever young at heart (and mind), sharp as a tack in any and all negotiation's we had; along with being a very tough negotiator---ALTHOUGH, he was extremely fair, and honest to a fault; so once a deal was struck, he stuck to it with no hair splitting, or FREEBIE add-on's after the fact.

As stated before, Stan The Man NEVER had a cross word for anyone, at least, not that I ever witnessed; I realized early on that he was not only non-judgmental, but he also had the inherent ability to "see through" people, and ferret out the good within them, regardless how minute that good may be---and that, without even trying to do so.

I am sure gonna miss ya Stan The Man. I feel exceptionally fortunate, and blessed to have met, and spent time with you...

"Tiger"

Tiger

September 21, 2013

Stan will certainly be missed on the tennis courts at Sunrise Country Club. He was a fine tennis player and a joy to be around. Stan was a kind and dear man. Jim Cox

September 21, 2013

I was first introduced to Stan and Mary Lou in the mid-1970s (and worked with Scot for a time back then as well), but it was later in 1985 I discovered just how exceptional he was. Solely by accident, I happened to be present as he was preparing a print ad for a promotional novelty he'd developed and I suggested he change his headline. He agreed and I left a few minutes later happy to have been able to assist. Within a week, I was surprised to receive a note thanking me along with a check for $100--totally unsolicited or unanticipated. I called and told him it was appreciated but unnecessary and when he insisted I accept it, I did so only on condition he'd allow me to contribute something additional to justify the amount. Thus began three decades of occasional collaborations in support of similar projects--several of which proved amazingly successful. To me, Stan was--and will always remain so in my memory--an amazingly caring man who used his keen business acumen and intuition to develop and provide unique products and services certain to benefit all concerned. In other words, Stan embodied a gold standard for entrepreneurial enterprise.

During our last conversation several months ago, Stan filled me in on a few if his current projects and jokingly observed he must be crazy since he was constantly busy despite being only a few years short of 90 years old.

Not crazy at all...he was just being Stan.

Teresa and I extend our most sincere condolences to Stan's family; please know we will always miss him, but take consolation in knowing Stan is once again together with Mary Lou.

Ric Meyer

September 21, 2013

Stan was my neighbor for many years. He was a lovely man, and I liked him. He was very devoted to his wife, Mary Ann who was a valiant lady. I will miss this kind man.

Roen Viscovich

September 19, 2013

Tod and Jill,
Your dad was my cousin. He was the greatest. When my dad died, your mom and dad were kind enough to open their house in Portuguese Bend for the memorial after the funeral. Not only that but he also spoke at the services. Again we called on him to speak at our mothers funeral and he did a beautiful job. I will never forget his twinkling smile. Aloha to you all long lost cousins.
Robyn Fierman Aggers

Robyn Aggetrs

September 18, 2013

My deepest condolences to the Mattox family. I met Stan here in the Coachella Valley, as a local Industrial real estate broker we quickly became friends. We had lunch and he often called about the local market and whats happening here. I realized Stan was no ordinary man, he was a prince of a man. Always kind & caring, just as described in his obit, "twinkle in his eye, warm smile and never a bad word about anyone else". So true, I always enjoyed our lunchs and conversations. His stories of his experiences and business deals were always interesting and insightful.
And his interest in my career and deals was always constant. Although I never met his wife, I know his devotion to her was enormous given that he mentioned her and provided vital support in her last days. I thought of him last month, called and left a message to connect, he didnt call back and I knew something was wrong. I am a better man for having known Stan Maddox. God bless his soul and his family in their time of need.

Polo Doria

September 18, 2013

When I first met Mary Lou, I said, "you have the same sparkle in you eye as Stan." And when you looked at Stan, you knew he liked you.
All of us at Sunrise will miss him....and his surprising racket control. He didn't look like the best player, but he was.

Gene Morgan

September 18, 2013

Stan and I started in kindergarden. Went thru school together Continued our freindship thru our lifetime. Played tenns with him on and of for the last 20 years. Will miss him.

Norman Brill

September 18, 2013

I worked for Stan in the 1980's - he was such a wonderful man, friend and boss. My sincerest condolences to the family. Dee Espinosa

September 17, 2013

Stan,
As the patriarch of the Mattox family, I am eternally grateful to you for the pleasure of such a long friendship with your family, dating back to our childhoods in Palos Verdes with Scot and Tod. Thank you for bringing them all into this world and allowing me to share in those friendships. None of us could have possibly known then that these were the early days of a life long friendship that continued into our adult lives, sadly ending with Scot's passing, but continuing to this moment with Tod.

You lived with an aura of incredible calm and patience. It was as if you moved through life with inside knowledge that everything would turn out alright, so you relaxed and enjoyed all the excitement of every moment. Your constant inner calm was extraordinary. Wish I could have figured that one out with you before you passed on...

You were an excellent tennis player too, and when we played a few years ago I was astonished at your skill level and stamina for a man in his 80's. You ripped some balls passed me that I was not expecting. It was impressive to witness!

In short, Stan, you were quite a man.

Thanks for all the contributions to my life.

Tim Kindelan

September 16, 2013

Tod and Jill, your dad and whole family were such a large and memorable part of my own childhood and your dad especially was always there for my dad in his final years. It's been many years since I have seen him, but he was often in my thoughts. Best to you in these times

Jodi Ziff Paley

September 16, 2013

Jill (Dood) you know I love you and I am here for you whenever you need and whatever you want. I never got the honor of meeting your father but I know from how you spoke about him how special he was. He on all accounts was a great man. I commend his spirit and beautiful mind in not giving up "just because". He was VERY strong and had tremendous courage. I want to always keep that little piece of who he was that you shared with me for the rest of my life. I hope when faced with obstacles in my own life I will refer to my mini STANMAT book and pull from the memory of his awesome courage. God bless you and your entire family always xoxo

Mone Love

September 16, 2013

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

Make a Donation
in Stan MATTOX's name

Memorial Events
for Stan MATTOX

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Stan's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Stan MATTOX's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more