Paul R. Mattox

Dr. Paul R. Mattox, 74, of Oshkosh, died Tuesday February 26, 2008 at St. Agnes Hospital. He was born on August 24, 1933 in Los Angeles, CA. the son of Clarence William and Mildred Wagstaff Mattox. On October 27, 1990 he married Shirley Brabender in Oshkosh.He attended Lincoln High School where he was in ROTC and graduated in 1951. He then entered the United States Army and served his country until 1953. He earned his B.A. in 1957 from Los Angeles State College. He received his M.A. from State University of Iowa in 1958 and his PhD from University of Southern California in 1967. He was a Professor of Rhetoric (Speech and Communication) at Auburn University, Delta State University and from 1967 until his retirement in 1990 taught at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he was also coach of the debate team . On April 21, 1972 Paul moderated a historic debate/discussion between 3 Soviet students and 3 UW-Oshkosh debate students: How Might the US and USSR Contribute to the Cause of Peace. He enjoyed the challenge serving as Parliamentarian to the Faculty Senate from 1982-1988. Paul was a man of many interests, and hobbies. He loved traveling, History, cats, Science-Fiction, Jeopardy, collecting antique weapons, ham radio-W9NDY, and racing his 1966 Corvette. He was a Civil War scholar, versed in its history in both the North and South conflicts, participated in reenactments, and visited historic battlefields. He was a member of the American Legion and the Republican Party. He was a wordsmith and was proud to have written speeches for Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, legislators, and local politicians. When he was a Deputy Sheriff for Winnebago County, he helped rewrite the Policy and Procedures manual. He was active in the 1st Brigade Band, Clan Donald Pipes and Drums of Green Bay, Camp 8 Sons of Union Veterans, MacAllister Battery and Save the Hunley Association. He built his own cannon and fired it several times.He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Oshkosh, companion and caregiver Debi Emerson of Oshkosh, one cousin Joyce Fiero of California, Pat Piper and his family, and his three cats Roamer, Smokey, and Linus. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Mary Therese (Dan) Trepanier, Mary Grace Albedyll, Beth (Tom) Gunderson, and three brothers-in-law: Bill, Joe, and Mark Brabender, and godchild Tanya Herranz and nieces and nephews. There are many former students who thrived under his care and instruction.He was preceded in death by his parents.Funeral services will be held on Friday February 29, 2008 at 5 p.m. at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-Westside. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Park on Monday where military honors will be performed.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Oshkosh Humane Society.The family would like to thank the first responders, paramedics, staff of ER and ICU and doctors at St. Agnes who provided invaluable comfort and support

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Friday, February 29, 2008
4:00 to the service time



Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Friday, February 29, 2008
5:00 p.m.