John E. Madden (USAF Retired)

CMSgt John E. Madden (USAF Retired), age 67, passed away on June 26, 2013 after a 2 year courageous battle with cancer. Chief Madden was born September 2, 1945 to Leon and Eula Madden of Saxapahaw, NC. He graduated from Southern Alamance County High School in 1963. He joined the United States Air Force in 1964 where he enjoyed a prestigious career in communications until his retirement in 1991 as Maintenance Superintendent of the 2052nd Communication Group at Keesler Air Force Base. He met his wife, Judy Barnes Madden, while stationed at the radar site in Roanoke Rapids, NC. They were married in February 1968. Chief Madden and Judy were transferred to Fort Lee, VA in 1969 where they welcomed their first daughter, Tara in 1971. The family was transferred to Keesler Air Force base in 1973 where they welcomed their second daughter, Lisa in 1976. Chief Madden was stationed at Kapaun Air Station in Kaiserslautern Germany and at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, but otherwise was stationed at Keesler for his 26 and half years of service to the US Air Force. After his retirement from the Air Force, Chief Madden obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993. He then continued his service to the federal government by accepting a position with Civil Service where he retired as a training manager in August 2012. While in Civil Service he received his Master’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995. Chief Madden was most proud of his family and his various career accomplishments. He enjoyed golfing and fishing and spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. Chief Madden was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Annie Madden and Dan and Artie Bowers; mother Eula Mae Madden and nephew Michael Madden. Chief Madden is survived by his wife of 45 years, Judy Madden of Ocean Springs, MS; Daughters Tara (Brice Mitchell) Madden of Ocean Springs, MS and Lisa (Jeff) Gandy of Atlanta, GA; Father Leon Madden of Burlington, NC; Brother Steve (Martha) Madden of Raleigh, NC; Grandchildren Christian and Johnathan Calloway of Ocean Springs, MS and Laurel and Leighton Gandy of Atlanta, GA; Nephew Phillip (Lizanne) Madden of Apex, NC and best friend Jim Hanby of Gulfport, MS. Visitation will be Monday, July 1st at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A funeral to celebrate the life of Chief Madden will be Tuesday, July 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Paul United Methodist Church downtown campus in Ocean Springs. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507.