Carl Orson Madden

Carl Orson Madden was born on October 31, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Paul and Dorothy Madden. He was raised in a loving Christian home, where the family regularly attended their local Nazarene church. Carl and his siblings—Bob, Jim, Karen, and Mary—spent many joyful summers together at church camp, creating lifelong memories.

As a teenager, Carl moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to live with his aunt and completed high school there, graduating in 1957. That fall, he briefly attended Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, but soon realized that college wasn’t the right path for him. He returned to Kansas and, in 1959, enlisted in the Air National Guard, serving in the Aerial Reconnaissance Unit. After three years of honorable service, he was medically discharged due to chronic sinus issues.

In 1962, Carl married Sandra Kay Austermiller. Shortly afterward, the extended Madden family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where they started Madden Construction. Carl and Sandy had two children: Christine Lynn, born in January 1963, and David, born in May 1964. Carl worked as a Union Bricklayer and Master Stone Mason, often traveling with a camper for out-of-town jobs. After their divorce in 1965, Carl’s parents, Paul and Dorothy, played a significant role in helping raise Christie and David.

Carl remarried in 1966 to Charlene, becoming a stepfather to her son Glen. Though their marriage ended in 1970, they shared a chapter of life as a blended family.

In 1971, Carl met Christine Larson at Camp Pinerock, a Nazarene campground in Prescott, Arizona. They married that August and spent the next 53 years building a life rooted in faith, love, and community. Together, they had two children: Jonathan, born in September 1974, and Julie, born in February 1976. The family cherished their time at the cabin Carl built at Camp Pinerock, a place filled with laughter and meaningful memories.

A devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan, Carl took great joy in celebrating their recent Super Bowl victories. He was also an avid listener of evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and loved worship music, often singing his favorite hymns around the house. Over the years, Carl and Christine welcomed many rescued cats and dogs into their home, always showing compassion and care for animals.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife, Christine Madden; his children, Christie LaMastres, David Madden, Jonathan Madden, and Julie Madden; and his sisters, Karen Hulbert and Mary Hopkins. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Madden, and his brothers, Bob and Jim Madden.