Aaron Lee Mattix, 74, of Colby, KS, died Thursday, September 5, 2024. He was born on December 2nd, 1949, to Charles and Ila Mattix in Oskaloosa, IA. He was raised in the farming life with his eye to the skies, the beginning of a lifelong love of tractors and airplanes.
He left Iowa to study theology at Mid America Nazarene University, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Religion in 1972. While at MNU, he met his one and only girlfriend, Jayne VanDyne. They married three days after college graduation in May 1972. Lee attended Nazarene Theological Seminary 1972-1975, graduating with a Masters of Divinity. After graduation, the newlyweds answered a call to be minister of the Nazarene church in Creston, IA. They served in this role for 2 1⁄2 years before moving to Jayne’s hometown of Independence, KS to be near her family. They built a house together and raised their three children: Aaron Kent, Caleb Van, and Leah Jayne.
Harmony Valley was their home for 45 years and served as base for Lee's aviation hobby, with a private airstrip for morning flights in his own planes, as well as visits and fly-bys from his many friends. He enjoyed his role as the 'candy bomber' to area Amish communities and keeping tabs on neighborhood activities.
Lee achieved a boyhood dream at 47 years old when earned his private pilot’s license, taking lessons in the evenings after working as a carpenter and handyman. Lee once again answered the call to ministry and served as preacher at the Congregational Church in Independence for 12 yrs; building relationships that eventually elected him to two terms as a Montgomery County Commissioner.
At the age of 62, Lee took Communion with the Catholic Church, initiating a new phase of religious devotion in his life.
Even in semi-retirement, he stayed engaged with his community in Southeast Kansas, working a variety of jobs including airport manager at KPPF, and the service department at Prairie Land Partners, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow workers and customers, often taking the “scenic route” on deliveries.
Aaron Lee Mattix devoted his life in service to the Lord and was most proud of his role as a faithful husband of 52 years to his wife Jayne and father of three children, Aaron, Caleb, Leah, and grandfather of four.
Survivors include wife, Jayne E of Colby KS, son Aaron Mattix (Alison Birkenfield), Rifle CO, son Caleb (Shanda) Mattix and their children, Morgan 11 and Rawlins 7, of Colby KS and Leah (Jet) Del Castillo and children, Araceli 16 and JJ 15, of Victorville CA.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m., with a vigil at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Friday September 13, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby with burial to follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Southeast KS. Memorials may be made to Lee Mattix Memorial Fund for a scholarship fund will be established for pilot instruction of those wishing to pursue their dreams of private aviation or Sacred Heart Catholic School and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.
For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com.