Brig. Gen. Alvah S. Mattox, Jr.

Brigadier General Alvah “Al” Stone Mattox, Jr., 93, of Weyers Cave, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at The Legacy at North Augusta in Staunton.

Born October 17, 1933, in Richmond, General Mattox was the son of the late Alvah Stone Mattox, Sr., and Etta Cleveland Rhodes Mattox. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton in 1950 and from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington in 1954, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

General Mattox dedicated much of his career to military service, serving in the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Virginia Air National Guard. He earned his pilot wings in 1955 and served in a variety of operational and leadership roles, including as a pilot, flight commander, and operations officer. He commanded the 192nd Tactical Fighter Group beginning in 1980 and later served as Chief of Staff of the Virginia Air National Guard. On December 16, 1982, he was promoted to brigadier general. In 1987, he was appointed Deputy Adjutant General for Air, serving as the senior Air National Guard commander and principal advisor to the Adjutant General on Virginia Air National Guard matters.

A command pilot with more than 14,000 flight hours, General Mattox flew a variety of military aircraft throughout his career. His service included activation during the Berlin Crisis in 1961 and deployments to Greece and England. His military education included the Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. His awards and decorations recognized his distinguished service and dedication to the nation. He was proud to maintain lifelong affiliations with the Air Force Association and the National Guard Associations of the United States and Virginia.

In civilian life, General Mattox pursued a career in commercial aviation as a captain with American Airlines, flying Boeing 727 aircraft out of Washington National Airport. He also represented American Airlines pilots in industry and Federal Aviation Agency-sponsored initiatives focused on airline safety, all-weather flight operations, and the evaluation of new aviation equipment. In 2010, he received the FAA’s highest honor for certified pilots, the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing 50+ consecutive years of safe flight operations. He loved his family fiercely, always enjoyed a sweet treat, and found delight in antiques, collectibles, model trains, and a good trip to Armstrong's.

He is survived by Susan Larmon Richards Mattox; his sisters, Joyce Anne Mattox Randolf and Betty Sue Mattox Rice; his son-in-law, Daniel Carlyle Baxley, Jr.; his grandsons, Willson Edward Baxley and William Kenly McAllister, Jr. (Stacie); his granddaughters, Kathryn Elizabeth Baxley Crowder (Michael) and Mary Scot McAllister Boyce (Matt); and beloved great-grandchildren, Jack and Henry Crowder, Emory and Cameron Boyce, and Oscar McAllister.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving daughters, Mary Sue McAllister Smith and Dorothy Rhodes Mattox Baxley; and his first wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Willson Mattox.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the VMI Alumni Agencies (PO Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450) or the Wounded Warrior Project (PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675) in honor of his lifetime of service.

Service information will be announced in the near future.