John William Maddox

WAUCHULA - Mr.  John William Maddox, 96, of Wauchula, Florida passed away peacefully at home August 8, 2023.

     Born November 14, 1926, in Fort Meade to the late Homer and Theadosha Manley Maddox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence and Carlton Maddox, his devoted grandmother, Nancy Lamb Manley, Uncle Schooler Manley and beloved son, Clayton (Clay) Luther Maddox who passed away at the young age of 21.

A true Florida pioneer, he appreciated the natural world, establishing the first Audubon Society in Hardee County. He grew up in the outskirts of Fort Meade where he also attended high school. John starred in the Fort Meade football team advancing to state playoffs in 1944. After graduating high school, he served two years as U. S. Army Corporal of the Occupational Forces in Kyoto, Japan, during World War II. Following many love letters to Margaret Lamb of Fort Meade, and only two weeks of dating, John proposed. They were married August 11, 1947 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church’s pastor’s home. Once he returned to the states, John enrolled in the University of Florida where he attained a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science. As an honor student, he graduated third in his class in 1958.

      Mr. Maddox taught school in Largo, later returning to Hardee County teaching vocational agriculture at Hardee Senior High School. In 1970, he became Supervisor of Secondary Curriculum transitioning to Assistant Superintendent where he served with four superintendents, retiring in May 1989.

     The family joined First Baptist Church Wauchula where he was a lifetime deacon and taught a men’s Sunday School class for over 30 years. He was an active member of the Herger Williams Post of the American Legion having served on the Honor Guard, Chaplain and Past Commander.

     Survivors include his endearing wife of 76 years, Margaret Maddox; sons, John Michael of Winter Haven and Andrew Stephen (Andy) Maddox and wife Mary Sue of Wauchula; two grandchildren, Alexan Maddox of Orlando and Aaron Maddox, wife Monica, and their daughters, Audrey, Laynie and Karsyn of Haines City.

     John Maddox’s greatest joy was his grandchildren. Having been baptized in Bowlegs Creek as a young boy, he exemplified his extraordinary faith in God through everything that he did. Mr. Maddox raised his boys and grandchildren with great integrity, to respect their fellow man, and lead an honest life that would always be pleasing to the Lord.

     Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 11, 2023 at the First Baptist Church, Wauchula, FL.  Funeral services will follow in the church sanctuary at 11:00 a.m, and interment will be in Wauchula Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The Mary-Martha Sunday School Class, FBC Wauchula or to the American Legion, Herger Williams Post 2, Wauchula, FL.

     Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL  863-285-8171