Colonel Douglas Roger Maddox Sr. (Ret.) 78, died on December 28th in Tallahassee, Florida after a wonderful Christmas in Atlanta with family and friends. He was born in New Brockton, Alabama on February 5th, 1935 to Bonnie Mae and Elmer Manuel Maddox. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 55 years, Dolores deGomar Maddox. He is also survived by LTC. Douglas Roger Maddox Jr. (Ret.) (Diana), Gregory Manuel Maddox (Debra), and Kimberly Maddox Childress (Brian). His grandchildren include Crystal, Bryce, Jordan, Xavier,Douglas Julian (DJ), and seven great-grandchildren. His happiest times were at Dog Island enjoying his home, Our Little Bit of Heaven, with Dolores, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the Dog Islanders.
Colonel Maddox received his Army ROTC commission from the University of Florida, 1957, he then was assigned to Ft. Benning, Georgia. With the Berlin Airlift, his unit was activated and he served as Hospital Administrator at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon completion of his duty, he was assigned to the Selective Service System where he served implementing what would become his achievement and legacy that would allow young men, while applying for a Driver’s Learner's Permit, would be able to sign up for the Selective Service System simultaneously through the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Since the Florida initiative 44 of the 50 States have adopted his Model. He supported other states with their implementation until his retirement in 1989. Colonel Maddox received a Presidential Appointment and served as the Florida State Director of the Selective Service System until 2010. He also served with FEMA.
Colonel Maddox graduated from Hillsborough High School Tampa, Florida and was a Kappa Sigma ( Delta Delta Chapter) at the University of Florida. Upon graduation in 1957, he received training to work with the deaf and blind at Gallaudet University. He began his working career with State of Florida, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, in St. Petersburg working with deaf/blind clients following his training. He joined the Space program in St. Petersburg, working with the Minuteman program. As the space program was gearing down, he then was called to join the Office of Florida Governor Claude Kirk heading up the ARRIVE ALIVE program. Doug was one of the first three employees at a new Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS). The three went to Cape Canaveral to hire recently laid-off Space workers for this new Department of HRS. While at HRS, he worked with Family and Children Services implementing a variety of programs. He was requested to go to Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Office of the Secretary to administer and implement the move of their offices from downtown to Northwood Center. From Administrative Services in the Secretary’s office, he was promoted to Division Director up until his retirement.
Always actively involved in the community, not only in St. Petersburg but also when he moved to Tallahassee serving as American Territorial Krewe Chief for Springtime Tallahassee. He was Chairman of the Board for Leon Association of Retarded Citizens (LARC) and planned many fund raisers. A huge Gator, he loved getting together with the Leon County Gator Booster Club. He was a major Booster and fund raiser for the new Lincoln High School.
He and his family were founding members of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Tallahassee setting up and arranging the first Mass at Maclay School before the Church was built and also did the same for Holy Cross Catholic Church prior to moving to Tallahassee.
He was a major Fund Raiser and Friend to Shrine of Martyrs of La Florida Missions, here in Tallahassee.
Funeral arrangements (both at Good Shepherd Catholic Church) Jan. 10, Visitation 6:30 – 8:00pm Rosary at 7:00 pm
Jan. 11, Funeral Mass at 11am with Luncheon reception immediately following in the Parish Hall
Family asks you wear shades of blue...
Arrangements under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.
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