Howard James Maddock

Howard James Maddock, 97, formerly of Mission, Kansas, went to be with the Lord May 19, 2018 at the Gables Assisted Living Facility, Overland Park, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 1:30-3:00 pm, Friday, May 25, 2018, with funeral services to follow at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill – Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112. Interment with Naval Military Honors will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Howard was born July 15, 1920 in Bates County, Missouri to Terrell “Tom” and Lois Maddock. He graduated from Rich Hill, Missouri High School. He moved to Kansas City in 1939, working at Manor Bakery and finished trade school as an electrical welder. He worked for Fruehauf Trailer Company as a mechanic. The trailers were used to carry search lights and were sent overseas to help with the war effort in Europe and Russia. While in Kansas City, Howard met the love of his life, Lefa Almeda Watts while roller skating.

He enlisted in the Navy during World War II on August 3, 1942. Howard received his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Station before receiving further training as an aerial specialist at Navy Pier, Chicago. During Howard’s training in Chicago, Lefa joined him there, living in an all-women apartment and working at Sears. They married on February 3, 1943 and recently celebrated their 75th anniversary.

He next served at the Jacksonville (FL) Naval Air Station as an Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class, with duties as a flight engineer instructor and also as a crew member on a PBY Catalina maritime anti-submarine patrol airplane; searching the eastern seaboard for enemy activity. Howard also completed college prerequisites for flight training at Monmouth College, Illinois and pre-flight training at the University of Georgia, specializing in navigation and math. He achieved the equivalent of two years of college, during his service. He was selected for pilot training in Memphis, Tennessee at war's end but chose instead to return to civilian life and to see his brand new baby daughter. Howard was honorably discharged on October 9, 1945.

He worked in a variety of positions to support his growing family. He was an arc welder for Clipper Manufacturing Company. In 1950, he worked at the GM plant in Kansas City building jet fighters during the Korean Conflict. Howard also worked as a carpenter and home builder, drove a Yellow Cab, and worked for the Fuller Brush Company, and Montgomery Wards. He worked for Reliable Sewing Machine Company and taught himself how to sew so that when he maintained the customer’s machines, he could show them how to operate the machines. He continued the sewing skills at home repairing canvas tarps, tents and pieces of clothing. He finished his working career as a route salesman for Interstate Bakeries for twenty-five years. He was a self-learner all his life and had brilliant mental recall, even in his last days.

Howard and Lefa were very active in their church, Westwood Christian, until the doors closed and they moved their membership to Countryside Christian Church. He served as an Elder for many years at Westwood Christian visiting the aged, volunteering at the Crosslines center for the poor, teaching Sunday school and occasionally was a fill-in preacher on Sunday mornings. In 2008, he was awarded the title of Elder Emeritus in recognition of his many years of service and ministering to others.

After retirement, Howard raised grass-fed cattle on an 80 acre farm in Rich Hill, Missouri, which he inherited from his Uncle Jim. He was a bee-keeper for thirty years, beginning before retirement. He had hives in Rich Hill, Mission, and Louisburg; he was a member of the Northeast Kansas Beekeeper’s Association. He would sometimes retrieve swarms of bees from locations that were potentially dangerous to humans and rehome them, often transporting them in the trunk of his car. Howard and Lefa picked wild blackberries and retrieved their honey to sell at the Greater Kansas City Farmer’s Market.

They were members of the National Campers and Hikers Association (NCHA) in Shawnee, before and after retirement, and enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing. They were also members of the Keen-Agers, a group of retirees that traveled together; as well as the Coffee Club at Mission Bank. They enjoyed square dancing for many decades, beginning in 1958 and were members of the Silver Spurs, the Star Twirlers, and the Be Squares clubs over the years. They enjoyed traveling to Southern Gospel Music venues. Howard was a member of the American Legion for many years until his health prevented his attending. Howard and Lefa volunteered at the election voting centers for several years. He loved to play board games and card games and usually beat his opponent. He taught four generations of children the Ajax Tool Company handshake. He was known for saying, “Man, ain’t this living,” during mealtime, especially when eating his favorite gooseberry pie.

In the last few years, he overcame many adversities including blindness without complaining or asking for help. He wanted to make those around him happy which he did with his surprisingly quick wit, even telling jokes the day before he left this earth. Howard will be remembered as a great story teller and devoted family man.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his son, Daniel Maddock of Raytown, MO. He is survived by his wife, Lefa Maddock, daughter, Janice Hummel and husband Dick of Topeka, KS, son, James Maddock and wife Terry of Whitesboro, TX, daughter, Leanne Harrell and husband Mark of Glendale, AZ, daughter-in-law, Mary Maddock of Raytown, MO, 9 Grandchildren and 13 Great-Grandchildren.

The family of Howard Maddock wish to thank Great Lakes Caring Hospice for their compassionate care and a special thanks to The Gables Assisted Living staff and administrator Kathy Wilcox for their love of Howard and over-the-top compassionate care.

Fond memories and condolences for Howard may be left at www.chapelhill-butler.com as arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill – Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112.