Kenneth Robert Madison

Kenneth Robert Madison

November 6, 1938 – September 11, 2026

Kenneth Robert (Ochitwa) Madison, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Tampico, Washington, on September 11, 2026, with his loved ones by his side.

Ken was born November 6, 1938, in Yakima, Washington, to Antone and Jannie (Derkacht) Ochitwa, both originally from Canada. As his parents established their lives in the United States, the family name became Madison. Ken was the youngest of four children and grew up with his sisters, Betty, Lois, and Patricia. He attended St. Joseph Academy in Yakima.

Ken proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Korean War veteran. After his military service, he returned to the Yakima Valley and spent many years working in the trucking and logging industries. He was a hardworking, dependable, and resourceful man who never shied away from a difficult job.

In 1964, Ken married Elaine (Cawley) Madison and lovingly embraced her three children, Linda, Ron, and Tony, as his own. They later welcomed their son, Kenny, together. Ken and Elaine shared more than six decades of marriage and built their lives around family. They also raised their granddaughter, Christina, whom they loved and cherished as their daughter.

Ken will be remembered most for his kind and generous heart. Though he was a man of few words, he showed his love through his actions. He was always willing to lend a hand and had a special love for children and animals. He was fiercely independent, determined, sometimes stubborn, and had a wonderful playful sense of humor. He could tease and make people laugh with little more than a look.

Ken loved the outdoors, the mountains, and exploring by Jeep as a longtime member of the Ridge Runners. He especially enjoyed hunting with his son, Kenny. Eagle’s Nest near Darland Mountain held a special place in his heart and became the setting for many treasured family memories. It was Ken’s wish to return there as his final resting place, among the mountains he loved.

Ken was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elaine; his son, Kenny Lee Madison; his daughter, Linda Lee Madison; his parents; and his sisters.

He is survived by his sons, Ron Lee Brock (Teresa) and Tony Lee Madison (Jerelyn); his granddaughter, Christina Lee Madison (Sean); and his grandchildren, Brent, Sheena, Macy, Amanda (Michael), Chelsea, Hannah, Didi (Ed), Christopher, Brianna, Dahlton (Sydney), Denver (Ally), and Tayt. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Austin, Alissa, Alexander, Samuel, Lilly, Ember, Leo, Bennett, Rhett, Magnolia, Leira, Mazie, Milo, and Malcolm.

Ken’s greatest legacy is the love he gave. He will be deeply missed by the family who loved him, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on for generations.

And now, the mountains he loved will hold another piece of him.