Ronnie “Pointy Boots” Mathis, a Corpus Christi icon known for his stylish strolls around town in long-toed boots and custom suits, died March 19 at 70.
Mathis died surrounded by loved ones after a battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer.
Known as a positive force throughout the city and his life, Mathis was a cultural legend with grand cowboy hats, multi-colored suits, and a bright personality to match the courage of his ensemble. Inspired in part by his twin brother Donnie Mathis, who sports similar attire only without the pair of pointy boots, Mathis had cultivated his memorable flair along with his blinged-out bike he always rode. The Vietnam veteran stood out more by the simple fact everything he wore he custom-made himself.
His look was a carefully crafted choice, not only for his fashion-sense but for what type of life he wanted to live and eventually leave behind.
“I had a plan, it wasn’t just style. I had a plan. I really didn’t want to die a nobody,” Mathis said in a May 2025 interview with KRIS 6.
Surpassing that goal, Mathis, an Army veteran is remembered with love by his wife Susan Mendez Mathis as well as by the entirety of the Mathis family, including family friends such as Pete Trevino, CEO of the Big Bertha Foundation who is helping oversee four events acting as a voice of celebration of the massive life Mathis lived.
A visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service, 5921 Yorktown Blvd. Funeral services begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 2 at Calvary First Baptist Church, 2906 Carver Dr.
All attendees are encouraged to wear yellow in his honor.
A fundraiser will be from 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 3 at House of Rock, 511 Starr St. This event was originally planned as a Meet and Greet to raise funds for Mathis’ cancer treatment. Following his death, all proceeds will be donated to cover funeral costs.
The fundraiser is in collaboration with Bert Treviño of Overtime Skateboards, with skateboards and turkey legs available for purchase. A limited edition deck design created by Huls Design featuring Mathis on his bike under the Corpus Christi sky will be unveiled.
Mendez Mathis will attend, and hopes to hear any stories of her husband that others would like to share.
A memorial ride with Los Homies Bike Crew, Corpitos Cruzers and the Big Bertha Foundation will meet at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 4 at Water’s Edge Park, 602 S. Shoreline Blvd. Riders attending should wear big colorful straw hats to reflect what Mathis himself would wear.
“The only word that fits him – that pretty much everybody in the whole Corpus Christi area knows – he’s an icon,” said friend Pete Trevino. “Something that molded him into the legend, icon that he is.
Visitation & Funeral Service
WHEN: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 1
WHERE: Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service, 5921 Yorktown Blvd.
WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 2
WHERE: Calvary First Baptist Church, 2906 Carver Dr.
