James M. Maddox

MADISON-James Michael Maddox passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 10, 2009, at the age of 58 years.

He was born in Sydney, Nebraska on March 26, 1951, and graduated from DeForest High School in 1969. He returned to the UW -- Madison to study his favorite subject, American Western History in 2002.

Jim led a long and varied career, working on the line at American Motors and then becoming one of the youngest foremen at the Racine Plant. He worked at Schmerler Ford selling cars and then as a finance and insurance officer for that company. In addition he was a successful salesperson for Midwest Business Products and developed a large clientele covering much of southern Wisconsin. He was involved in several family businesses such as service station in Middleton, a resort in northern Wisconsin and his own office supply company here in Madison.

Jim struggled with depression much of his life and after seeking assistance he was diagnosed as bipolar and suffering from manic depression. However, his great capacity for compassion and caring moved him to support others with mental health issues.

Jim worked at New Directions Information Service with the Mental Health Center of Dane County for a number of years. He also worked with the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services in the Consumer Relations area. He served on numerous committees, and spoke eloquently at meetings across the state on topics relating to mental health and substance abuse recovery issues. Jim was co-founder and chair on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin Consumer Council, and also served on the Board of Directors for NAMI, WI.

He was a graduate of the Peer Specialist Training Program and a consultant for ""The Management Group"" Statewide ROSA Interviewer Program. He received the NAMI Dane County Board of Directors Award for Excellence in 2005 and the NAMI-Wisconsin Outstanding Consumer Award for the same year.

The bottom line is that he was a passionate and dedicated innovator in the field of mental health recovery and touched the lives of many in a very positive way.

He loved nature, biking, camping, hiking and fishing. He especially enjoyed his role as a conservationist in promoting and protecting the native flora at Pat Maddox's farm near Blue Mounds.

Jim is survived by a brother and sister-in-law; Jerry and Carole Maddox, a half-brother Dale Belke, his former wife and friend forever Pat Maddox and her two daughters Korri and Adrienne Ellis, his first wife and mother of Eric; Valerie Rose, a niece and husband Tracy and Matt Doeppers, a nephew Michael Maddox a great nephew Connor Doeppers and a great niece Jordan Doeppers. His parents and recently his son Eric Maddox preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, in the Landmark Auditorium, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, Wisconsin on Sunday, October 11 at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NAMI Dane County, 2059 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704-5367 (608-249-7188).