Jeffery Keith Medlen

He was born, proudly, in Huntsville, AL to Peggy Jean (nee) Barkley and LeRoy Medlen. He grew up there with his parents, sister, and the kind of family you can only have when each parent has 9 or 10 siblings. LeRoy’s employment took the family to Fayetteville, NC in 1971. Jeff was 11. There the foursome built a new community of friends from scratch. Can you see Jeff charming these new people and making them laugh? Rohm and Haas transferred LeRoy on a second and final move, this time to Louisville, KY. Jeff was 17. Again, the foursome alone in a new hometown, so far from family and established friendships.

In his early years, Jeff did many things. All kinds of sales jobs including autos, scab employee while the strike was on at Rohm and Haas, modeling, and so much more. Then he discovered Herbalife. Off like a rocket to diamond level he went. He crashed nearly as fast. This is when Jeff and Chuck crossed paths; love at first sight both ways. Never to be down long, he picked up real estate. Sold a few houses. Discovered mortgage origination. Jeff worked his way up the “food chain” through several mortgage companies to finish with nearly 10 years at Wachovia. There, he was Regional Wholesale Account Representative and was a Circle of Excellence award winner many more years than not.

Upon early retirement forced by disability, it was off to Florida. Jeff loved the sun, beach, sea, palms, and not being cold. In Florida, he felt free and established himself in a new community one last time.

Jeff was predeceased by his beloved parents, Peggy in June 2005, and LeRoy in November 2015.

Left to cherish his memory and figure how to go forward are:

Chuck Schad, Bokeelia, FL, his husband of 34 years and their two toy schnauzers Cotton & Cooper

His sister Ginger (Steve) Hamm and her two children:

Dana Andres and Britt (Missy) Hooks, all of southern Indiana;

Rusty Schad, Teri (Ronnie) Johnson, and Phill (Paula) Schad, Chuck's siblings all of Louisville, KY;

Gerard (Brandy), Michael, and Trey Schad, all of Louisville, KY the nephews Chuck brought him;

the great nieces and nephews:

Gavin (USMC Sgt, San Diego), Parker, and Avry Andres of southern Indiana, Alec and Megan Saxon of southern Indiana, and Ethan, Victoria, and Chanceler Schad of Louisville, KY; and many dear family members and friends.

Jeff’s wish for memorial expressions of sympathy would be to the charity of your choice who serve the needy in your home communities. He felt so fortunate that he lost no income in the pandemic economy, but it weighed heavy on his heart the needs of so many others who did lose jobs and income.

A private memorial celebration of his life will be held in March for the Florida family of friends.

Other services are being considered for Louisville, KY and Huntsville, AL.