Jack N. Maddox

Jack Norman Maddox, 82, of Wapato, Washington passed away on July 21, 2026 in Yakima.

Jack was born August 18, 1943 in Le Compte, LA to Otis W. and Merl (Roberts) Maddox. He was

third of six kids raised in a house with an open door to extended family. At the age of 6 his

family moved to SE Texas. After graduating from China High School in China, Texas in 1961, he

enlisted in the Navy where he served from 1961 to 1966 (Four years, three months, and 19

days, but who’s countin?). Rank: Aviation Boatswain Mate 2 nd Class. He served aboard the

aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) for one year, ten months and 16 days. The “Connie”

(the Flagship of the Battle Group) was in the Gulf of Tonkin at the beginning of US involvement

in Vietnam and she was home ship for first two American planes shot down. Jack worked the

flight deck as a Repair #8 Crewmember: Aircraft Tow Tractor operator, Aviation Crash & Salvage

Firefighter (aka crash & smash), and Asbestos Suit Man. Following his honorable discharge from

the navy he served as a fireman in the civil service force at Naval Air Station on Whidby Island in

Oak Harbor, WA until 1970. On the side he trained with an established farrier and through him

met his future wife, Patty. Jack and Patty married February 14, 1967 and over time welcomed

three kids: Sharon, Charlie, and Sandy. He worked for many years as a highly sought after farrier

in Whatcom County. He had to close his client list to long-time customers only. Jack held many

jobs including working as a welder on modulars that went to Alaska for the pipeline and on the

“pot lines” at Intalco Aluminum Plant in Ferndale. His dream was to be a cattle rancher so Jack

and Patty started with some bottle raised heifers and in time grew to a herd of 350 mama cows.

They were long time members of the Whatcom County and Washington State Cattlemen’s

Associations where he served on the marketing committee. They were voted Whatcom County

Cattleman of the Year in 1982. In 1991 they moved from Whatcom County to the Yakima Valley

and continued raising cattle. After a three year, multistate search they moved to their current

home on Win Acres Road in 1994.

Jack was known for his generosity and hospitality, always ready to share a meal or a beer. His

time was spent with his family, friends, and taking care of his cows. His grandkids are the light

of his life. He didn’t talk a lot, but when he did speak you listened. He taught a strong work

ethic and importance of family.

He is survived by his wife, Patty (Cowin) Maddox; children Sharon (Bruce) Paul, Charlie (Faye)

Maddox, and Sandy Changala; grandchildren Jacob (Mikayla Mccord) Changala, Jessica

Changala, Averi Maddox, Paige Maddox, Cassie (Dylan) Studebeck, Maegan (Rikki) Changala,

and Dominic Changala; great-grandchildren, Amaya, Ellie, Bennie and Blake; brother Donny

Maddox (Kirbyville, Texas) and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. He is preceded in

death by his parents; brothers Bobby, Claude, and Gene Maddox; sister Evelyn Gray, and many

nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Services will be held at 11 am August 18, 2026 at Harrah Grace Brethren Church located at 3701

Harrah Road, Harrah WA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Yakima County Fire

District 5, MultiCare Home Health & Hospice (Yakima). We really appreciate the care given by

the Seattle VA Hospital Oncology department over the last 10 years. Thank you to Yakima

County Fire District 5 EMS, his Hospice nurses, and Memorial Hospital ER and 3 rd floor nurses.