Christian Mattox, recent student and kinesiology major from San Antonio, passed Wednesday after a motor vehicle accident in San Antonio.
Mattox, 22, was a member of Gamma Sigma Phi men’s social club. The Registrar’s Office was notified about two weeks prior that Mattox would not be returning to ACU for the spring.
Mattox was born on August 28, 1997, in San Antonio and attended Communication Arts High School in San Antonio.
Don Garrett, director of endowment strategy and senior advancement officer, was a GSP sponsor and friend of Mattox and said he will be missed by many on campus.
“Christian was a young man who was always interested in the people around him,” Garrett said. “When I would visit with him, he always asked how I was doing, how my work was going and he invariably thanked me for my service as a sponsor for Gamma Sigma Phi. When I saw Christian last, at the end of the fall semester, he again asked how I was doing and we talked about his future plans– plans that will never be realized now. He was a good man.”
Travis Mack, senior advertising and graphic design major from Abilene and president of GSP, said members of the social club are offering their support, thoughts and prayers to the Mattox family and those who were closest to Mattox.
“From the very first time [the club members of GSP] met him, he brought joy, enthusiasm and an easy going attitude that was effortlessly shown by the constant, big smile on his face,” said Mack. “He lived an authentic life and was accepting to every single person he came into contact with. Christian was well respected among GSP for living with a posture that was bold and eager for whatever was next. From the outside looking in, Christian seemed to hold a philosophy that was ‘all-in, or nothing.’ Underneath his demeanor was a kind and endearing person that will never be forgotten.”
He is survived by his father, Matt Mattox, his mother, Marlene Mattox, a step-sister, Tara Hikem, and his grandparents, Thomas and Anne Mattox.
The university celebrated the life of Christian Mattox during a Chapel assembly Friday in Moody Coliseum. The university flag was lowered to half staff in remembrance of Mattox on Friday, as well.
A memorial service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Monday at University United Methodist Church, 5084 De Zavala Road, in San Antonio.
