John R. Madden

John Russell “Rusty” Madden passed away quietly, December 16th at the age of 89. Rusty was born October 12, 1925, to Charles and Clara Madden, in Ajo, Arizona. The family moved to Fresno in 1943, where Rusty enrolled at Fresno High School. Not yet 18, Rusty left to join the Navy. In the Navy, he was a corpsman serving with the Marines. He was involved in the invasions of Guam and Midway in World War II. He talked little about his experiences there, but would comment that he “saw things too terrible for an 18 year old” and “changed your life forever”. After 5 years in the Navy, he enrolled at Fresno State College and joined the Air Force ROTC, graduating as a Lieutenant. After serving two years of active duty as an intelligence officer, he served as a liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy. He counseled many local recruits and organized a parent’s support group. He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1985. In 1953 he began his career in education. He held positions teaching at Jane Adams Elementary, and as Dean at Sequoia Junior High, Roosevelt and McLane High Schools. Rusty retired in 1989, as an administrator with Fresno Adult School. He finished his 36 year career all with Fresno Unified. Also in 1953, he married his wife Nancy, whom he met while attending Fresno State. Both were life time boosters of Fresno State Bulldogs. He served as alumni president in 1963. Rusty’s service went beyond his contributions to the community through his military and education careers. He was a Fifty Year member of the Lions, serving as President of the South Fresno Lions in 1990. He was a current member of the North Fresno Lions. Through his persistence, he started a Lions scholarship at his alma mater, Fresno State that ultimately bears his name, The John “Rusty” Madden Lions Scholarship. Rusty also served as a member of Las Palmas Masonic Temple, Tehran Shrine and Scottish Rite. Rusty was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Madden, Jr., and his daughter, Elizabeth Jane Madden, who passed away in September of this year. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy. His sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Bob Spielman of Simi Valley, CA. His son Mark and his wife Kathy Madden, of Clovis, CA. His son Tim Madden, of Gig Harbor, WA. Grandchildren Melanie Madden of Encinitas, Max, Megan and Emily Madden of Yakima, WA. Jenna and Wyatt Madden of Clovis, CA and Great grand-daughter Savvy Smith of Encintas, CA. Burial with full military honors will be held Monday, December 21 at 1130 a.m. at the National Cemetery, Santa Nella, CA. Chapel of the Light is handling the arrangements. The family asks the any remembrances be sent in Rusty’s name to the John “Rusty” Madden Lions scholarship at Fresno State University.

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John R. Madden

October 12, 1925 - December 16, 2014