Melvin Hugh Madewell

Melvin “Hugh” Madewell was born February 1, 1923, the first of three sons to John and Pauline Madewell of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Hugh passed away on January 1, 2019, in Jones, Oklahoma. Hugh is survived by his wife, Inge Madewell; his son, Dr. John Edward Madewell and wife Theodora (“Teddy”) Madewell; five grandchildren, Clifford Madewell; Casey Madewell; Machielle Bryan; Stacia Currier and Sharla Madewell; thirteen great-grandchildren, Austin Bryan; Jensen Johnson; Kagen Anglin; Blaze Bryan; Piper Bryan; Hayleigh Madewell; Ashleigh Madewell; Anna Madewell; Teddy Nicole Madewell; Alec Madewell; Ryan Madewell; Leanne Currier and Allan Currier; and four great-great-grandchildren, Layla Bryan, Bronx Johnson, River Johnson and Elaina Bryan. Hugh’s first wife, Ruth Ellis Madewell predeceased him on June 4, 1997. Hugh’s daughter, Carolyn “Sue” McDermott, predeceased Hugh on November 15, 1997, and Hugh’s grandson, Richard Curtis Madewell, predeceased Hugh on June 19, 2018. Hugh was also predeceased by his parents and brothers, Dewey Elmo Madewell and Billy Joe Madewell. Hugh was raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1941. Hugh married Ruth Curtis on October 4, 1940, a marriage that lasted 56 years until Ruth’s death on June 4, 1997. Following Ruth’s death, Hugh married Inge Rund of Bremen, Germany, on June 19, 1999, and added Inge’s children: Dr. Michael Rund (deceased 2011), Sabene Townend and her husband Peter, and Bettina Kohler and her husband Frank; and Inge’s grandchildren: Katharina Rund and Jonathan Rund to his family. Hugh was immensely proud of all of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren and extended family. Hugh began work for his father at age 12 hauling coal and wood in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and began driving trucks at the age of 13. In 1937, at the age of 14, Hugh began work for the Broadway Theaters, Inc. in Muskogee, Oklahoma, first as an usher and advancing to General Manager in 1942 at the age of 19 when he left the theater to enlist in the United States Army. Hugh loved to fly, first flying as a private pilot in September, 1942, and flying solo for the first time on Thanksgiving Day, 1942. Hugh proudly served in the United States Air Force as an officer and pilot volunteering for service during both World War II and the Korean War. Hugh received his Pilot’s Wings during World War II in 1944. Following his graduation from twin engine advance training, Hugh was retained at Pampa Army Air Field in Texas as a multi-engine instructor pilot, advancing to the position of Squadron Commander while a Second Lieutenant. Hugh trained numerous bomber pilots for service in World War II, a testament to his aviation skills. In February, 1951, Hugh was called back into the service of his country in the Korean War as an Officer in the United States Air Force and assigned to pilot duty in Europe. During his service in Europe, Hugh flew and travelled extensively in Germany, Norway, Denmark, Holland, England, and North Africa and during such time was honored to have piloted General Dwight D Eisenhower and the Air Marshal of Great Britain. In 1953, following his military service in the Korean War, Hugh returned to Jones, Oklahoma, and established Madewell & Madewell (later Madewell & Madewell, Inc.) a business specializing in the collection and responsible recycling of scrap lead batteries in an environmentally conscious manner. During this time Madewell & Madewell also operated a fleet of trucks across the United States. Hugh’s firm, Madewell & Madewell, Inc. continues to operate from the original location in Jones, Oklahoma, today. During his 66 years at Madewell & Madewell, Hugh continued to pilot his own planes. Hugh was honored to have flown many dignitaries, including the John Glenn family; Governor and Senator David and Molly Shi Boren; Oklahoma City Mayor and Oklahoma County District Attorney, Andy Coats; Attorney General Larry Derryberrry; and Attorney General Mike Turpen. From 1953 to 1963, Hugh was active in the Masonic Fraternity, serving as Worshipful Master of Jones City Lodge Number 537 in 1957. Hugh also was involved in the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma where he became the first Master Mason from the Jones City Lodge to earn and become a Certificate Lecturer in the three degrees of the Masonic Blue Lodge and served as District Deputy Grand Master of District 21 and on various Grand Lodge Committees. Hugh was a philanthropist and gave generously to charities, civic organizations, youth organizations and local churches. Some of his favorites were the Jones Public Schools, the Jones Police Department, and the Jones Fire Department. Hugh donated the land and the initial funds to establish the Jones Fire Department in its present location. Hugh loved to travel. During their marriage, Hugh and Inge took trips to Australia, Africa, Italy, England, Germany, and numerous states within the United States. Hugh asked that Carmalieta Wells, whom he considered a daughter, be recognized for her life-long devotion and friendship to him, Ruth, Inge and the entire Madewell family. Also, Bill V. Dean, Jr. whom he often referred to as his second son and wife Christie for their friendship and assistance.

Services will be held at the First Assembly of God Church at 957 SW 5th Street in Jones, Oklahoma, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019, under the direction of Bill Eisenhower Funeral Home Northeast. Viewing and visitation will take place Friday, Jan. 4, 2018 at Bill Eisenhour Northeast Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd St., OKC, OK 73141 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.