James Edward Maddox

James Edward “Ed” Maddox, 97 of Ashland, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Woodland Oaks Health Care Facility in Ashland. Mr. Maddox was born February 3, 1920, in Rosedale, Carter County, KY, a son of the late Willis Newton and Anna Myrtle Justice Maddox. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy Pratt Maddox in 1965, his second wife Lee Royce Vaughn Maddox in 2015 and his brother Homer Earl Maddox. Ed was a resident of Ashland since 1925. He retired from Armco, Inc. in 1985 after 38 years of service. He served as assistant to the manager and then manager in the Human Resources Department. Ed was educated in Ashland Public Schools and was a 1938 graduate of Ashland High School. He was active in band, ROTC Rifle Team, Key Club, Honor Society and was a member of the founding cadre for the institution of ROTC at Ashland High School in 1936. He later attended the Engineering College at the University of Kentucky and the Army-Navy Electronics Training Center at Harvard University in 1942. In November 1941, Ed enlisted in the Army Air Corps, became an aviation cadet and was commissioned an Air Communications Officer where he served as a Radar Intelligence Officer at several Air Corps bases concluding his service as a Captain in February 1946. A life-long Methodist, he was past chairman of the administrative board of First United Methodist Church where he served as a board member for 50 years, former lay leader, choir member and a 35 year Sunday school teacher. He also served as a trustee and trustee-emeritus of Kentucky Wesleyan College since 1972. He was a 35 year Advisory board member and past chairman of Ashland Community College after which he became a board member of the Community College Foundation of ACC, present member since 1968 and past chairman of the board of incorporators of Kings Daughters Medical Center, present member since 1946 and past president of the Ashland Kiwanis Club, director and past chairman of the former First Federal Savings & Loan, member and past chairman of Associated Industries of Kentucky in Louisville, member since 1974 of the Kentucky Committee for Support of the Guard and Reserve, past member of the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, past 16 year director and chairman of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Kentucky, past director of Southeastern United Corporation, past director and chairman of Boyd County Community Chest-Red Cross, past director of the Kentucky Council on Economic Education, past director of Kentucky Independent College Fund, past member of the Kentucky Industrial Safety Board. A long time Scouter, he joined Boy Scout Troop 102 in 1932, served as scoutmaster of Troop 111 in the 1940’s and 50’s, was later a troop committeeman and Council Executive Board Member. In 1968 he was awarded the Silver Beaver. Ed was a member of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Ashland Alliance, was a long-time volunteer for the American Cancer Society, was a volunteer for Service Corps of Retired Executives. He was a member of the Bellefonte Country Club, a Kentucky Colonel, an active NRA Volunteer and enjoyed hobbies of Golf, genealogy and target shooting. Survivors include his daughter Carol Pratt Maddox Smith and husband Steve of Franklin, KY & Loudon, TN, grandchildren Matthew Stephen Smith and wife Nancy of Knoxville, TN,. Dorothy Christine Smith Cole and husband James of Louisville, great grandchildren Franklin Maddox Smith, Catherine Cabrera Cole, Anderson Matthew Smith, James Brooks Cole, Mary Nancy Custer Smith, brother Denver E. “Gene” Maddox of Ashland, several nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends. Funeral services will be held 1:00pm Friday, May 5, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Ashland by Rev. John Street. Burial will follow the service in the Ashland Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8pm at the Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel. Pallbearers will be Matthew Smith, James Cole, Franklin Smith, Anderson Smith, Brooks Cole and Dr. Dan Maddox, Honorary bearers Gene Maddox and John Wallace.In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1670, Ashland, KY 41105 or Kentucky Wesleyan College, 3000 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301. Online condolence to www.steenfuneralhome.com

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