Craig Wesley Mattox died on May 11 while diving for sea urchins off the coast of San Miguel Island.
Mattox was born on Dec. 30, 1956, in Encino, California. His parents, Vern and Evelyn Mattox, lived an active lifestyle and instilled in him a passion for fishing, swimming and water skiing.
Inspired by his love for the ocean, Mattox completed a degree in marine biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he also continued his swimming career. He was an accomplished competitive swimmer at both Pierce College, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and UCSB, where he was an All-American in the 200-yard butterfly and the 400-yard individual medley.
Mattox began his career as an LA County Lifeguard in 1975. He was awarded the Medal of Valor in 1987 — the highest award given to professional lifeguards for the County of Los Angeles. Mattox made several contributions to public safety and the lifesaving service. He was on two championship Taplin teams in the early 1980s. He retired in 2008 after recovering from two major injuries he received while performing lifesaving rescues.
“Despite his numerous spinal injuries, he always maintained his well-known positive, upbeat attitude,” a loved one said.
Mattox became involved in the booming commercial urchin diving industry in the early 1980s.
“He dove for over 40 years, despite the setbacks that were in his way,” a loved one said. “He overcame them with great courage and a unique sense of humor. Water and nature were everything to Craig, but his family always came first. His wife, Felicia, of 25 years, and his two daughters, Pearl and Veronica, live on with his legacy.”