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 1/2 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 1930's, hav ing no school bus, he boarded in town and had different jobs to pay his board and room. Jim attended Norton Com munity 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. After many renovations it was built it into the home it is today. With an amazing work ethic and a thirst for learning, he attended farm schools and was constantly reading agricultural materi als and trying to keep up with the latest methods of farming to become the best farmer and businessman he could be. He was a progressive farmer and with his fam ily's help he built a successful farming operation and started a custom harvesting operation in the early 1960's. He was in volved in the formation of the U.S. Custom Harvesters Organization. Jim and his sons continued the harvesting business for many years. Jim always enjoyed the crews, many with whom he stayed in con tact. He could be a tough taskmaster, to which his family can attest. In 2010 Jim purchased a home in Man hattan, 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 he 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. 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 mem bership committee. He was awarded Farmer of the Year by Farm Bureau in 1968, and received other awards for farming. He belonged to the American Legion and the Eagles Lodge. He was baptized as a baby and renewed his vows to God in 1963. 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. 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, Made line and Olivia Miller, Caroline Fahren bruch, and Caleb Padia. Also surviving are his nieces- Dalene Horton, Pat Mitchell, Cathy DeWitt, Amanda Hart ley, Carmen Sidman, Jocelyn Henson, Sandra Downing; his nephews, Gary Gibson and Dennis Gibson, Mike Luft, Ron Sidman, Danny Mathewson, 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 sur vived by brothers-in-law Warren Sid man and Eric Sidman. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Lloyd and Leon, sisters Avis Mathewson, Aileen Gibson, Leola Luft, and an infant brother Gene. Memorials may be made to James (Jim) Maddy Memorial Fund.