Garland David Maddox

April 14, 1921 – June 12, 2011

Garland David Maddox, Sr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Mr. Maddox was born on April 14, 1921 in west Alabama. His family moved to Birmingham while he was very young, and he grew up in the Wylam community. He was a long-time active member of Wylam Baptist Church.

During World War II, Mr. Maddox served in the 95th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force as a B-17 pilot. His plane was downed on his fifth mission, and he was a prisoner of war until 1945.

After the war, Mr. Maddox completed his business degree at Birmingham Southern College and subsequently held several positions as a sales representative for educational supply companies, including Standard School Service, Pacesetter Learning Aids and Lasseter-Pacesetter. In many of those years, he traveled thousands of miles to personally visit customers.

He always enjoyed meeting and working with other people. A good friend once remarked that "if you gave Garland five minutes, he would know your life story." After retiring from sales, he enjoyed travel, reading, and eating in good restaurants. He always enjoyed working in the yard, growing roses and camellias.

Mr. Maddox is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Sellers Maddox; his parents, Thomas Clayborn Maddox and Aubrey Stewart Maddox; and his brother, Starshall C. Maddox. He is survived by his sister, Winona Maddox Kirk; sister-in-law, Mavis P. Maddox; daughter, Suzanne Maddox; son, David Maddox (Eila), grandchildren Amanda Maddox and Warren Maddox, and numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

The family wishes to thank the large number of Mr. Maddox's caregivers for their care and support over a long period of time. The staffs at Brookdale Place (Arbors II) and Fairhaven (5 North) have done a wonderful job in providing care. The family would like to specically thank his current sitters - Lazarus Thomason, Nina Cunningham, and Hilda Cozine - for their love, dedication and service.

There will be a graveside service at the Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115 on June 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. honoring the life of Mr. Maddox.

In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorial donations to Alzheimer's of Central Alabama or to the charity of your choice.

Birmingham News (AL) - Tuesday, June 14, 2011