MOUND VALLEY — Bobbie Joe Mattox, 79, of rural Mound Valley died at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at his home. He had been in failing health.

He was born Sept. 29, 1932, at St. Paul to George E. and Bertha L. (Fickess) Mattox. He grew up and attended schools in Erie.

Mr. Mattox began driving a truck at the age of 14 and continued as a self-employed truck driver until ill health forced him to retire in 2008. For a short time, Bob was the terminal manager for Ruan Transport, then he returned to driving for himself.

He married Barbara Ann Hayden on March 7, 1961, in Miami, Okla. The made their home in rural Mound Valley in 1965. She survives of the home.

Bob enjoyed his horses and had several horse drawn wagons. For several years, he and his wife drove their horses on covered wagon drives in Missouri. In 2006, he and Barb drove their team of horses and covered wagon more than 400 miles to visit friends in northern Missouri.

Bob attended the First Baptist Church in Mound Valley.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Mattox of the home; four sons, Stan of Fayetteville, Ark., Chris, Cory, both of Mound Valley, and Craig of Lafayette, La.; four daughters, Mary Jo of Owasso, Okla., Elizabeth of Odem, Texas, Connie of Mansfield, La., and Carla of Emporia; 23 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Carl Mattox of Cutler Bay, Fla., George Mattox of Parsons and Don Mattox of Savonburg; and two sisters, Lela Hutchinson of Wichita and Wilma Wintjen of Erie.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Mound Valley. Burial will be in the Mound Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

It is Bob’s request that his friends and family attending his funeral should wear blue jeans or casual attire.

Memorials are suggested to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.