Obituary of James A Maddy

James A. Maddy "Jim" Maddy died at his home in Manhattan, Ks. Oct. 19, 2013, surrounded by family members, after losing his long battle with cancer James A. Maddy was born May 5, 1930, on a farm 4 ½ Miles northeast of Norton Ks. to Goldsberry and Fannie Scott Maddy. He attended early grade years at Hillman School. In 1940, the family moved to his grandfather's homestead, eleven miles south of Almena. He finished grade school at the Pleasant Hill School. Jimmy, as he was known as a youngster. was a bright boy-- taking two years in one term. Being a child of the 1930s, having no school bus, he boarded in town and had different jobs to pay his board and room. Jim attended Norton Community High School, graduating in 1947. After high school he farmed with his father until joining the Air Force in 1951 where he excelled in electronics. In 1952 he married Suzann Sidman. After discharge in 1954 he and Suzann and their first son Steve returned home to his grandfather's homestead to farm with his father. After his father's death, Jim and Suzann were on their own, with a large growing family of five children. They were at the mercy of the 1950 drought and other hardships. Their home burned in 1959, and with the help of family and neighbors they moved a house to the homestead, to which many renovations have built it into the home it is today. With an amazing work ethic, a thirst for learning, he attended farm schools and was constantly reading agriculture materials and trying to keep up with the latest methods of farming to become the best farmer and businessman that he could. He was a progressive farmer and with his families help he succeeded in building a successful farming operation and in the early 1960's started a custom harvesting operation. He was involved in the formation of the U.S. Custom Harvesters Organization. Jim and his sons continued the harvesting business for many years in addition to the farming operation. Jim always enjoyed the crews, many of whom he still stays in contact with. . He could be a tough taskmaster, as his family can attest to. In 2010 Jim purchased a home in Manhattan, Kansas, where he planned to enjoy retirement and attend K-State sporting events. He never completely retired but did enjoy his frequent visits to Manhattan, where he had many warm and friendly neighbors. Those last two years was able to enjoy many basketball and football games. His high school friends have always been dear to him and he kept in touch with them throughout his life. Jim and Suzann continued to operate the business together and continued their friendship attending family and Norton and K-State events together. Recently Jim stated that 2013 was the first time in 65 yrs he had not operated a combine. He is survived by his former wife Suzann, sons Steve, Dave and wife Patsy, Duane, Rod and wife Tammy, and daughter Cynthia Abend. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Kara Miller, Lucas Maddy, Christopher Maddy, Katie Gualtieri, Marisa Maddy, Molly Maddy, James Donahey, Kelly Donahey, Ryan Maddy, Kristen Fahrenbruch, and Cassandra Padia; five great grandchildren, Jacob, Madeline and Olivia Miller, Caroline Fahrenbruch, and Caleb Padia. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Lloyd and Leon, sisters Avis Mathewson, Aileen Gibson, Leola Luft, and an infant brother Gene. Also surviving are his nieces Dalene Horton, Pat Mitchell, Cathy DeWitt, Amanda Hartley, Carmen Sidman, Jocelyn Henson, Sandra Downing; his nephews, Gary Gibson and Dennis Gibson, Mike Luft, Danny Mathewson, Ron Sidman, Gene Maddy, and Ron Maddy, with whom he enjoyed over sixty years of hunting and fishing expeditions, and whom he called his little brother. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Warren Sidman and Eric Sidman. Jim served many years on the Norton County Farm Bureau Board, serving as president, and various other offices, he also served at the State level on the membership committee. He belonged to the American Legion, Eagles Lodge. He was baptized as a baby and renewed his vows to god in 1963. He was awarded Farmer of the Year by Farm Bureau in 1968, and received other awards for farming. Some of his happiest moments were looking down the rows of beautiful green corn, across a field of golden ripe wheat, watching his herd of Hereford cows with calves, and relaxing with his family and crew after a long day cutting wheat. He was a farmer to the end. He was surrounded by a loving family, and his last words were encouragement to his family to carry on the farm as a family, to the best of their ability.