James Willie "J.W." Maddox

James Willie “J.W.” Maddox, age 80, passed away on March 16, 2011. J.W. was born to Willie Wread Maddox and Rosie Lee Wine Maddox in Burleson County, Texas on November 17, 1930. He is a descendent of the Stephen F. Austin 1st 40 “Old Three Hundred” Texas Colony of 1821 through Elijah and Nancy Allcorn of the New Year’s Eve Creek Community. He honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict in the Navy aboard the USS Eldorado at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.

J.W.’s desire was to be in law enforcement and he joined the Houston Police Department Academy Class 9 on February 23, 1953. He was promoted to the rank of Detective in 1960 where he worked Vice, Burglary & Theft, Major Offenders, and Forgery Divisions until retiring from the department after 35 years in 1988 at the rank of Sergeant. He continued working and retired from Baylor College of Medicine and the Children’s Nutritional Research Center.

J.W.’s passion was golf and he was rewarded with a hole-in-one on September 20, 1991 at Memorial Park Golf Course, hole #11. He also had a passion for coaching winning little league baseball and football teams. He was a Life Member of the Houston Police Officer’s Association, a member of the Houston Retired Officer’s Association, VFW Post #6010, and a Master Mason at Reagan Masonic Lodge #1037. He was a faithful member of Northwest Church of Christ.

J.W. Maddox met the love of his life, Betty Jean Murphy, in 1953 and they were married on June 20, 1954. Survivors include devoted wife of 56 years, Betty; treasured son, HPD Sergeant Bradley Wread Maddox and girlfriend, Babette McMullen; brother, retired HPD Sergeant Douglas Aaron Maddox and wife, Marsha of Caldwell, Texas; aunt, Tracy Wine of Caldwell; uncle, Wayne Thomas of Tomball, Texas; nieces, Joyce, Rhonda, and Jodie; nephew, Doug Jr., and numerous cousins, other family members, church family, and fellow officers.

Special thanks and appreciation to Babette McMullen for her unwavering loving care of J.W. while in the hospital, and to Sheena Carpenter for her care of J.W. at home.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011 in the

Chapel of Heights Funeral Home, where the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Jim T. Middleton officiating. Interment with Police honors will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Caldwell Masonic Cemetery, Caldwell, Texas.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”

Arrangements under the direction of Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas.