David “Dave” Mattox, 64, of Crawfordsville passed away July 19, 2026, peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family, after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia.
Dave was born on Nov. 4, 1961, to Barbara Herrington and Robert Mattox, and was lovingly raised by Ermil Sheese. He graduated from Owen Valley High School in Spencer, Indiana, in 1980.
On Sept. 9, 1980, Dave married the love of his life, Leshell Mattox. Together they began their life in Dallas, Texas, before settling in Crawfordsville, where they built a home and raised their family.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Brock Lynch.
He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 46 years, Leshell; his children, Crystalynne (Kirk) Williams, Joseph (Kalyn) Mattox and Jacob Mattox; his cherished grandchildren, Quentin, Aiden, Brielle, Kirk Jr., Zoey, Brantley, Alanna, Jazmine and Xavier.
He is also survived by his beloved brother and best friend, Jeff (Cindy); his sister, Linda (John) Hamilton; his brother, Danny Mattox; and his sister, Kim (Tim) Wright, followed by his mother-in-law, Pamela Lynch, and his brother-in-law, Joseph Lynch.
Dave was known for his incredible work ethic and his willingness to tackle just about any project. He began his career at Nucor Steel in 1990 as a laborer and, through dedication and perseverance, worked his way up to Melt Shop Supervisor before retiring in 2014. Retirement didn’t slow him down for long. Never one to sit still, he started Mattox Trucking and continued working until his illness no longer allowed.
Outside of work, Dave had a lifelong passion for drag racing and classic cars. Many evenings were spent in his garage restoring vehicles, with his prized possession being his dream car, a 1971 Chevrolet Nova SS. Wednesday night Test & Tune at the drag strip was one of his favorite traditions, and he enjoyed every opportunity to share that passion with family and friends.
Dave also had a special place in his heart for animals, especially dogs. Over the years, he opened his home to many rescues, often adopting from the Montgomery County Animal Welfare League because he believed every dog deserved a loving home.
Above all else, Dave’s greatest joy was his family. He treasured every moment spent with his children and especially his grandchildren. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than being “Pops.” His love for them was constant, unconditional, and unmistakable. They will forever carry with them his strength, his kindness, his sense of humor, and the example he set through a life of hard work, quiet generosity, and unwavering love for those closest to him.
Visitation will be held at Sanders Funeral Care, 315 S. Washington St., Crawfordsville, on Wednesday, July 29 from noon until the time of memorial service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery South.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dave’s memory to the Animal Welfare League, 1104 Big Four Arch Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Share memories and condolences online at www.SandersFuneralCare.com.
