John Anthony Maddocks

John Maddocks’s kind and generous heart stopped beating May 3, 2020. His passing leaves a tremendous hole in the fabric of our family.

John was born on July 21, 1937 in Portland, Oregon to Everett and Reta Maddocks. He attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland where he was student body president and captain of the Air Force ROTC Mitchell’s Rifle Squadron. Upon graduation he entered the United States Air Force. It was during his stint in the Air Force that he was introduced to the fledging world of computers. This introduction would serve him well during his career as a computer craftsman for IBM, Capp Homes, and the Portland Police Bureau, where—as head of information systems—he was given the rank of Assistant Chief. He established the mainframe computer system for the bureau. He ended his career at Floating Point Systems, retiring in his early 50s.

John kept busy with many hobbies and a love of researching and learning new things. At the age of 80, he started a vineyard, planting and tending to 72 grape vines. He had hoped to live long enough to bottle his own wine. Unfortunately, this was not to be.

John is survived by Christie, his wife of 60 years; his children Katherine (Brant), Betsy, Mary (Dean), Joe, and David (Suzi); 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his older brother, Tom. Throughout the years John and Christie also had a myriad of rescue dogs, three of which survived him.

Everyone who met John respected him and grew to love him. He had quick, dry wit and was extremely generous with his time and treasure. He will be missed immensely.

Remembrances can be made in his name to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Scio, Oregon.