Quiet Birdman and aviation pioneer, Carl A. Madeley, 90, of Conroe, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2022 after unexpected complications from a medical event.
Born in rural Conroe in September 1931, Carl worked in the evenings after school and learned to fly at the Montgomery County Airport (Conroe North Houston Regional Airport). He flew solo in 1946 and in August of 1947 a month before his 16th birthday received his Private Pilot’s license from the Civil Aeronautics Authority (pre-FAA), being the 4th pilot in America to be blind in one eye. He later went on to receive his driver’s license (uncle Sam Hoke made him the day after receiving his pilot’s license), before exploring a career in explosive demolition. Carl was part of the 62nd Combat Engineers in the Korean War and as a demolition specialist was responsible for converting the Han River Pass into a functional highway.
After the war, Carl returned to aviation, receiving his Aircraft and Engine Mechanic License, Inspection Authorization License, Helicopter Maintenance License, was type-rated in more than a dozen aircraft types, and flew more than 24,000 hours before he stopped counting. He was an original “Lear Jet Driver” having flown serial #3 (now at the Smithsonian) and having been responsible for surviving and solving the early “runaway trim” problem which plagued the company in the early days.
During his career which spanned two-thirds of the industry’s existence, he flew the famous, and infamous, around the world while working for giants of Texas industry including Houston’s Fondren family, Jack Perry, Rowan Drilling, and Wanda Petroleum to name a few. For special service in 1974 to Governor Hall, became an Honorary Colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard. In 2005, the FAA simultaneously awarded him aviation’s highest honors, the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award - each requiring 50 years of service with no incident.
He was a sales agent for the Lear Jet Corporation and also served as Chief of the Houston Air Center at Hobby Airport. Always learning and seeking to advance his industry, he trained other pilots throughout North America. In his later career he was VP of OMAC Aircraft (Old Man Aircraft Corporation), and was an executive of H&M Aircraft, and Condor Aircraft. He is known for shepherding numerous mayors, governors, senators, royalty, and men who would become President, to their destinations safely.
As Carl prepares for his last flight, services will be held at Metcalf Funeral Directors in Conroe on Thursday, June 30 at 10:00am, with burial following at the Texas State Landmark, George Bell Madeley Cemetery at 15256 Saddlewood Dr, Conroe, TX, weather permitting. Viewing will be held Wednesday, June 29 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Metcalf Funeral Directors.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife Jacqueline (Jackie) Madeley. He is survived by son, Ron Madeley of Seattle, daughters Debbie Holton, and Renee Ellisor, of Houston, special first cousin Eulice Vial of Conroe, cousins Ivan Madeley and Hulon Madeley of Conroe, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, extended family and one other child, Darlene Kuehn Huls (et al) of parts unknown mentioned last “only because of the problems, hatred and ungratefulness she has displayed” toward him in life.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Scleroderma Foundation and look up at the sky!
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