Anthony C. Mathis, Sr., was born March 8, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Samuel Mathis, Sr. and Autherine Fleming. Tony, as he was affectionately called by his friends and family, was raised and educated in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Tony became interested in boxing at the age of 14. A few years later, he began amateur boxing. This is when he met his boxing comrades Muhammad Ali and Sonny Lewis (whom he fought and ultimately lost a hometown decision to). In the early 1950's Tony moved to New York city to join the professional boxing stable of the late, great, Cus D'Amato, as a middleweight boxer. During this time, he trained with Floyd Patterson, who became a lifelong friend.
In 1955 he married Emma Mae Abrams. Within this beautiful union, his eldest daughter Kimberly Rebecca and son Anthony C. Mathis, Jr. (aka Ronnie), was born. Years following the homegoing of Emma Mae, Tony's son, who preceded him in death, Patrick Berry Bea was born to Roycerene Bea. Thereafter, he married, and divorced, the late Esther Mathis.
In the mid to late 1960's, Anthony Mathis, Sr., moved to Chicago Illinois. During this time, he became a car salesman at Van Male Buick, where he was the #1 salesperson each month of his eighteen years with the company. During this time, he set a national record for selling 54 vehicles, the most Buicks sold in one month. In Summer of 1974, Tony sold a car to a young lady by the name of Claudette Steel; it was her first vehicle. The two fell in love and were married soon after. Within this glorious union, Tony's youngest daughter, Aisha Londie Mathis, was born. Tony and Claudette remained married until his time of death.
Anthony Mathis solidified the term "Renaissance Man". He spoke Spanish, Polish and Greek colloquially. Tony was a true entrepreneur who had a brick and mortar newspaper in Cincinnati, Ohio. This dynamic salesman held a Real Estate license, Insurance Licenses and was a certified notary public.
In 1995, Anthony Mathis, Sr., ran for mayor of Chicago Heights. Although he did not win the race, he was one of the first African-Americans to run within the city; he was a well-respected member of the community. He was a loyal member of Operation Push, where he became friends with: Jessie Jackson, Sr., Jessie Jackson, Jr., and former president, Barack Obama (who was a Senator at the time).
Tony was also an honorably discharged Air Force Veteran who won the 2015 Veterans of Foreign Wars award for his work as an advocate for veterans and their families.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, Samuel Mathis, Jr., son, Patrick Bea, grandson, Thomas Gibert, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Anthony Curtis Mathis, Sr., leaves to mourn: his wife, Claudette Mathis; his children: Kim Rebecca Gibert (William), Anthony C. "Ronnie" Mathis, Jr. (Detra), Aisha L. Mathis; Grandchildren: Rick Mathis, Danielle Henderson (Stevie), Ebony Turner, William "TuTu" Gibert, Queen Gibert, Brenda Clark, Mariah Mathis, DeRonn Mathis; brothers-in-law: Rickey Steel, Michael Steel, Charles Dixon and Robert Nance; sisters-in-law: Addie Dixon, Shirley Baux, Jeanette James, Lear Nance, Deloise Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and beloved friends.