Ricky Allen Madison, 52, of Lake St Louis, Mo entered into rest on July 17, 2022. Ricky, who went by Rick, was born October 6, 1969 to Robert and Dana (Vanatta) Madison in Nebraska City, NE. Rick grew up in Thurman, Iowa, the third of four boys. He spent his childhood on the farm in rural Thurman. Rick attended Thurman Elementary and then Fremont-Mills Community High School in Tabor graduating in 1988.

 

After high school Rick joined the National Guards and soon after basic training transferred to the Air Force where he continued his military career for 24 years until his retirement  in 2013 as Master Sergeant. Rick worked in security and recruiting during his military career even winning an award for recruiting. After retirement from the Air Force Rick worked at Lowes and UPS  then came back to Iowa for a year to work at Syngenta. He then returned to Missouri and worked for Lake St. Louis parks department.

 

While serving his country he had the opportunity to travel and see many countries. His first overseas deployment was to Turkey then to High Wycombe, England. It was there that he met Sarah Catlender. The couple married in May of 1992 and were blessed with three children, Olivia, Beatrice, and Jack. They later divorced. Rick and his family were stationed in Cheyenne, WY; The Netherlands, Atlanta, GA: Tallahassee, FL; and St Louis, MO. Rick and his family loved to travel and see the sights wherever they lived. Rick and Sarah had a Ford Windstar van that they drove in 11 countries.  He always welcomed his parents and brothers to come visit him so he could be the tour guide in each new place he was stationed. Many good times were had by those who could make the trips.

 

One of his favorite times of the year were the holidays. He loved to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV while preparing the family meal. He also loved watching Christmas movies with the family. He especially loved National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and it was a tradition to watch it together every year.

 

Rick enjoyed “coming home” to visit with his family when on leave. You never knew what he would bring back with him, whether it be an appetite for the vegetables from the garden or gifts for his mom and dad. Family dinners consisting of spaghetti with his homemade spaghetti sauce and garlic bread was his specialty for at least one meal during his visits.

 

Rick is survived by his daughters Olivia and Beatrice; son, Jack; parents, Robert and Dana; brothers, Darrell, Roger (Gretchen), Steve (Sara); nieces Tiffany, Lynde, Elizabeth, Kalyn, Meaghan, Emily, and Shaylee; nephews Nicholas, Luke, and Wyatt; and severals friends and extended family. He was preceded in death by grandparents Darrell and Dorthy Vanatta, James and Augusta Madison.

 

Graveside services for the interment of ashes will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, August 8, 2022 at the Tabor, IA Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life from 3:00 to 4:00 PM at the lodge (Skyline Sportsman’s Club). Memorials can be made to the family to be distributed at a later time.  The Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor, IA is in charge of arrangements.