Ray Mattox

Walter Raymond Mattox (March 10, 1927 – December 29, 2005) was an American politician.^[2] A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1957 to 1968 and again from 1972 to 1976.^[3][4]

Ray Mattox
Mattox in 1974
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Polk County
In office 1957–1967
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 56th district
In office 1967–1968
Preceded by	District established
Succeeded by	Bob Brannen
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 57th district
In office 1970–1972
Preceded by	William H. Bevis
Succeeded by	John J. Savage
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 49th district
In office 1972–1976
Preceded by	Jack Murphy
Succeeded by	Bob Crawford
Personal details
Born	Walter Raymond Mattox (1927-03-10)March 10, 1927 Jesup, Georgia, U.S.
Died	December 29, 2005(2005-12-29) (aged 78) Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2[1]
Alma mater	Florida Southern College University of Florida

Life and career

Mattox was born in Jesup, Georgia, the son of Grady Mattox and Audry James. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, which after his discharge, he attended Florida Southern College, earning his BS degree in business economics in 1951. He also attended the University of Florida, earning his law degree in 1954. He was a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve during the Korean War.^[1][5][6]

Mattox (right) with an unidentified man at the Civitan International, 1969

Mattox served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1957 to 1968 and again from 1972 to 1976.^[3][4] He lost his seat in the House, in 1976, when he ran as a Democratic candidate for United States representative from the Florida's 8th district. He received 14,876 votes, but lost in the Democratic primary election to candidate Andy Ireland, who won with 36,048 votes.^[7]

Death

Mattox died on December 29, 2005, of a heart attack in Winter Haven, Florida, at the age of 78.^[1]