James Patrick Madden's Obituary
James Patrick Madden was born November 2, 1918 in Kinsley Edwards Kansas to Patrick Frances Madden and Ellen Irene Leonard. Preceding Pat was Frances Ellen, who was his only sibling.
The family lived in several locations and finally made their home in Holton, Oregon. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints taught Ellen, Frances, and Pat and they were the first members baptized after the St. Helens Branch was opened.
Pat graduated from St. Helens High School. On June 12, 1940 Pat was married to Melba Rose Thomas in the LDS Mesa Temple. From that marriage came Irene Goldie Madden Waite, James Alan Madden, Michael Frances Madden, and Brenda Ellen Madden Sharp.
Pat's first job was at the Fir Tex Plant where he worked five years. From there he went to Seattle and worked at the Boeing Aircraft Company. He was only there three months and returned to St. Helens. He worked for St. Helen's Pulp and Paper Mill, where he retired after 37 ½ years.
When WWII began, Pat enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 1635th Corp of Engineers. His destination after Fort Lewis, Washington was a small island in the Pacific called Ie Shima. There he constructed many things. Later he was sent to Okinawa and continued his construction work until the war ended.
Pat loved taking pictures. He got his first camera when he was 13. He took pictures of everything and continued to take them until his heart attack.
When Melba became sick, Pat started making clocks, bird feeders, bird houses, lamps, jewelry boxes, lawn chairs, and picnic tables.
He loved his family. He loved his friends and he loved his Church. He was able to be on his own and fend for himself until his heart attack.
Pat has twelve grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. He passed away on June 3, 2009 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon.
Funeral Services were held on June 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the L.D.S Church. Vault interment was at Bethany Cemetery.
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