Ralph G Maddux Jr

Ralph Guest Maddux, Jr., 91, well-known Columbia businessman and long-time resident of Sixth Avenue, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at Life Care of Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Jeremy Butt and James Bryant officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Shrine Children's Hospital, 3220 Burnett Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3095 or Columbia Academy, 1101 West Seventh Street, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born April 15, 1917 in the Bon Aire Community in White County, he was the son of the late Ralph Guest Maddux, Sr. and Beulah Roddy Maddux. He was a 1937 graduate of Columbia Central High School and attended Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville. Two bouts with rheumatic fever made him ineligible for military service in the early days of World War II. His desire to contribute to the war effort took him to the island of Trinidad for nearly a year to participate in construction of Waller Field. He then spent some time in Manaus, Brazil at the mouth of the Amazon River, working in the production of rubber and was later sent to Iquitos, Peru. In early 1944, he volunteered for duty in a Naval Construction Battallion, and, because of his experience in construction, was given the rating of Petty Officer, First Class, Carpenter's Mate, assigned to the 1040th Special Detachment. His first overseas duty was in Casablanca. From there, the Seabees were sent to Bizerte to build pontoon bridges. After once again contracting rheumatic fever due to conditions in the jungle, he was was on limited duty until his discharge in late 1945. Mr. Maddux was founder of Columbia Paint & Wallcover Company in 1946 and was active in civic and community affairs for many years. He served two terms as Columbia City Commissioner, and as a member of the Columbia Regional Planning Commission and board of directors of the Upper Duck River Development Agency. He was a member and served as President of Columbia Rotary Club in 1962 and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow; member of Columbia Masonic Lodge #31 since 1951; Maury County Shrine Club, serving as President in 1973; and Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. He was a member of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, having attended since 1927.He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Kirk Maddux August 23, 2001; a sister, Kitty Maddux Dealy Brown; two brothers, Robert Maddux and Lewis Maddux.Survivors include a daughter, Sherry (Lloyd) Shouse of Thompson Station; a son, Zeke Maddux of Columbia; a sister, Louise Maddux Rayburn of Columbia; three grandchildren, Hayley Maddox (Chad) Preston of Thompson Station, Zachary Maddux of Nashville, and Miranda Maddux of Columbia; great-grandchildren, Bayden Preston, Brock Preston, and Ansley Preston of Thompson Station; step-grandchildren, Stephanie (Andy) Lane of Nashville, Susan (James) Bryant of Coumbia, and Stephen (Tyra) Shouse of Spring Hill; step-great-grandchildren, LeEllen Lane, Alan Bryant, Alana Bryant, and Tanner Shouse ; sisters-in-law, Joan Kirk Brown (Gene) Aydelotte of Columbia, Sarah Stroud Kirk of Columbia, and Sarah Sands Maddux of Nashville; brother-in-law, Burton Whiteside of Columbia; nieces and nephews, Dr. Taylor (Connie) Rayburn, Mary Claire (Everette) Holzaphel, Bobby Maddux, Diane Dealy (Rick) Bolton, Lewis Maddux, Cindy Maddux, Mike Whiteside, Kirk Whiteside, Larry (Shirley) Kirk, Billy (Nancy) Salrin, Becky Brown (Larry) Davis, and Pete (Joy) Brown. Active pallbearers are Dr. Taylor Rayburn, Jr., Bobby Maddux, Lewis Maddux, Pete Brown, Mike Whiteside, Kirk Whiteside, Larry Kirk, Billy Salrin, and Rick Bolton. Honorary pallbearers include Maury County Shrine Club, Central High School Class of 1937, and employees of Columbia Paint & Wallcover. The Maddux family expresses deep appreciation to Dr. Steve Simmons and staff and the Staff of Life Care Center and "Butterflies Are Free" hospice program for their loving care and attention.