Joseph Eugene Maddux
October 9, 1942 - June 27, 2017
Obituary
Joseph Eugene Maddux, 74, of Kent, Washington, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday morning, June 27, 2017 at his home with his loving family by his side. His 16 month struggle with cancer is over. A burial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetary at 10:30 on Wednesday, July 5.
Joe was born October 9, 1942 in Athens, Indiana in the family farmhouse to Harold and Marjorie (Towne) Maddux. He graduated from Akron High School in 1960 and went on to serve his country in the Air Force for four years, based in Wichita, Kansas. In 1966 he received a technical degree from Northrop Institute of Technology in Inglewood California. Soon after, his sense of adventure took him to the other side of the world where he worked all over Asia and met and married the love of his life, Janet Chien-I (Lu). Joe was employed as an aircraft maintenance technician with Flying Tigers and then later with FedEx for 35 years. He was a family man who most valued taking care of children and his wife. The Maddux family spent their free time together traveling all over Asia, to Thailand, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Summers were spent road-tripping all over the US in an old Chevy pickup. He retired at the age of 59 and lived out his twilight years spending time with his grandchildren and relaxing with his wife on the road in their travel trailer and at their beach house in Sequim, Washington.
Joe was a kind, soft hearted man who had a quiet toughness and valued hard work. He had quite a funny bone, a comical way of expression and was hilarious when he wanted to be. He had a gift for conversation and throughout even the roughest of times, his warm and vibrant spirit remained. His sparkle will be missed. What made him happiest was enjoying time with family, it truly was his favorite pastime whether gathering for a meal, watching a Seahawk game or just going for a walk in the woods or down the beach. It defined the man he was and the legacy that he leaves.
Joe is survived by his son and daughter, Jason Eugene Maddux of Sitka, Alaska and Jessica Kay Leader of Seattle, Washington and his wife Janet Chien-I of Kent, Washington. He has three beautiful grandchildren who love and miss him dearly. Their names are Miles Aden Leader, Aria Edith Leader and Autumn Elaine Maddux.
Remembrances may be made in Joe’s memory to the National Park Services, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Virginia Mason Foundation.
Dad – you will forever be in our hearts. We love you to the ends of the universe.
Joe, You will be missed, but I’m happy to know you and work with you over the past 48 years. We had many good times and stories to tell….Love ya Brother….Rest In Peace
Joe, we were buddies and friends for over 50 years. I will miss you for so many reasons. I wish we could have been closer in your later years but even though we didn’t visit with each other, you were on my mind and in my mind a lot. You are in a very good place now and your pain is no more. Walk proud with God.
rest in peace bro, lots of good memories from 60s from the days in Tachi to all of the later years in the Pacific
Uncle Joe, you will be missed, but I know you are at peace and with Grandpa, Grandpa and your sister (my mom). You will always be in my heart – love you always
Your Niece, Debra
Prayers for your family,may God bless
Holding the family in my prayers. Joe was a classmate of mine.
Hey “Farmer” Joe,It’s hard to understand why people are
taken away,but have lots of good memories of our work
and adventures in Asia together, mate! You were a special
part of a great team. Rest in peace, wishing Janet and your
family strength and peace.
I am honored that I met Joe and Janet at the Towne family reunions. You have touched my heart with your kindness, humor and joy for living. RIP Joe. Janet, I wish you an abundant life and continued joy as you are comforted.
It s been a great pleasure knowing you on both sides of the pond and will miss those times relaxing around the table or fire pit. Peace!
Joe was the ultimate FedEx Manager and a great Person and Friend. My prayers to Your family, as You are rejoicing with the Lord
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our condolences to the Maddux family–also ours. While we cannot erase the sadness, we do feel the influence and caring that all who knew Joe have felt , and we know how far-reaching his love has been to all of us! May God in His infinite wisdom surround you all with His peace, comfort, and love! We may not be there in person, but we grieve beside you all!
I am truly sorry for your loss. My heart is aching but I will always hold on to the fond memories I have of Mr. Maddux. I have you all in my thoughts.
Joe was like a second father to me growing up with our families so close. There are so many fun memories I have spending time with the Maddux family. Joe had a quick wit and fun sense of humor. When I had kids anytime I saw him he was always quick to ask how they were doing and genuinely cared. I know he will be greatly missed by his immediate family including grand kids. Cherish the memories as he would hope you would.
An enormous loss for your family and all of us. Stay strong Janet you are close in our thoughts.
God’s peace to you with our love,
David and Dara Phillips
Joe was one of the greatest I had the privilege to know while at FedEx. Definitely inspiring and one I sincerely admired. May you Rest In Peace Joe! And may God bless hid family!
Joe was my manger at FedEx in Taiwan 35 years ago. He was a soft-talker with sense of humour. We all like him and work with him.
We hasn’t contacted each other since I left for Canada. Recently we “reunited” by Facebook. I was so excited and happy in the same I was very sad to hear his fight with cancer.
He is such a gentle and kind person. I won’t forget his kindness and good character.
Hope his family will become more stronger after their loss.
Joe, I will miss you!
Great Memories, bro.
What an easy going, soft spoken, considerate, yet solid man.
There will never be another one like you.
You were a great guy to work with at Tigers @ SeaTac.
I’ll never forget you.
Go in love and peace, brother.
Joe, my high school classmate. Requiem in pacem. Pax tecum.
You were a fun person in High School wish I could have known you as an adult. Sounds like a very exciting life !!!! My deepest sympathies to your beautiful wife and family.
You were a fun classmate. Sorry I never got to see you after graduation. Had some good times playing together when I was at my grandparents house.
My prayers and thoughts are with your family.