Mr. James H. Maddox, Jr.'s Obituary
James Herschel Maddox Jr. passed away July 22, 2014 at his home in Nashville, Tn. at 77 years of age after suffering a massive stroke in November 2006.
Visitation will be held at Spring Hill Funeral Home in Nashville Tn. on Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 11AM – 2PM and 4PM – 8PM and on Monday, July 28, 2014 at 11AM with funeral services starting at 2PM. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery.
Junior is survived by his wife Judy of 60 years, four children; Steve J. Maddox (Kristy) of Springfield Tn., Deborah Maddox Stewart (Rick) of Mt Juliet Tn., Tony W. Maddox (Marie) of Hermitage Tn. and James H. (Jim) Maddox, III (Connie) of Nashville Tn. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren along with a number of nieces and nephews. His one surviving sister is Mrs. Martha Petty Brent of Donelson, Tn.
Junior, as he has always been affectionately known, was born in Metropolis, IL on October 11, 1936 to the late Rev. J. Herschel Maddox, Sr. and Hazel Davis Maddox of Hopkinsville, KY. They moved to Hopkinsville in 1945 when Rev. Maddox, Sr. was called to pastor Second Baptist Church there.
Junior attended Belmont and Westside grade schools and graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1955 where he excelled in both basketball and football and received many sports honors, including a record he set in 1953 for most touchdown passes completed by a high school quarterback in a single season.
In his high school senior year he committed his life in service to our Lord in February 1955. He was licensed for the ministry on April 6, 1955 and ordained at Second Baptist Church on January 13,1957 to full time ministry.
He married the former Judy Redd on June 14, 1954. She attended Virginia Street grade school and was also a graduate of Hopkinsville High School. She was the daughter of the late Phillip C. and Thelma Twyman Redd, both of Hopkinsville.
After graduation Junior attended Old Bethel College in Hopkinsville two years and went on to complete his four years at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tn. From there he attended Louisville Seminary then returned to Austin Peay for his Masters degree.
Junior pastored churches in Kentucky and Tennessee during his years in the ministry. He began his pastorate at age 19. His pastorates include: Donaldson Creek and Locust Grove of Trigg Cty., Pleasantview of Kirksmansville, Elk Lick of Logan Cty., Newton Creek of McCracken Cty., and Third Baptist of Nashville.
In 1976 Junior went into full time evangelism forming the “Triple J” Evangelistic Association. The “Triple J” name he chose was from the strong relationship he had with the Lord and his wife (Jesus, Junior & Judy…thus the JJJ). The J’s formed in the shape of fish hooks indicated “fishers of men”. During those years he held revivals and crusades across several southern states. The “Triple J” also had an active ministry at the Nashville Rescue Mission.
For a brief period of 23 months during a much needed sabbatical, he worked with American General Insurance Companies and upon leaving there he served as a Tennessee State Parole Officer until he took an early retirement as a result of a stroke he suffered in March of 1995.
Junior is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge #324 in Lewisburg, KY. In September 2010 he was presented with his 50 year pin and gold membership card. He was only one of three to have received that honor from lodge #324 at that time.
Junior was an avid fisherman and hunter in his earlier years. He loved sports of all types and loved the outdoors. He was always amazed at the awesome wonders of God’s beautiful world of nature. In his later years, he and his wife spent many hours and traveled miles camping and touring on motorcycle across the Southeastern U.S. He still has kept touch with many friends they met along the way. He felt the Lord had blessed him and Judy with a wonderful opportunity and gift to meet and share the love of Christ to folks from all walks of life wherever they might be.
His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might standup and say to all the world, “This was truly a man”! (Shakespeare) He will be greatly missed here but he is heaven’s gain.
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