Madison, Walter

Walter Madison - age: 90
(January 09, 1924 to July 20, 2014 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Walter Madison passed away Sunday, the 20th, after a long life lived with grace, dignity and affability. Walter, together with his beloved wife Shirley and young son Michael, moved to Ukiah in 1972 when he came here to work for the Bureau of Land Management as a Natural Resource Specialist. Until his retirement in 1981, he was known for his collaborative approach to managing staff and projects throughout the area.
Walter was born in Salida, Colorado on January 9, 1924. After graduation from Saguache High School in Colorado he enlisted in the Navy, serving from 1941 into 1947 as an Electronic Technician, assigned to a variety of military sites, including the Galapagos Islands and Guadalcanal. Following his time in the Navy he attended Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1950.
While in the service Walter and Shirley Vavak, from Saguache, married on November 19, 1945. Together they filled their lives with family, friends and extensive travel, including three trips to Australia while their son lived there, teaching. Walter had a great fondness for his wife’s delicious cooking, especially when it satisfied his sweet tooth; for his dogs, Judy, Rollie and Lucy; and for piloting his own airplane. In later years he could be found walking miles several times each day, especially near one of his favorite destinations, the Ukiah airport.
Walter was preceded in death by his son, Michael Steven Madison, his parents, Walter Sr. and Lois Fuller Madison, and his brother Wayne. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley Madison, his sister Lois Martinez and her husband Johnny, his nephew Scott Martinez and his wife Cindy and son Avery, of Colorado.
The family is very grateful to Lynne Coen, MD, for her care and concern for both Shirley and Walter over the years.
A memorial service will be held at Eversole Mortuary on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 10 a.m.