Gary Richard Maddox was born October 8, 1948, in Auburn, Nebraska to Floyd and Mildred (Colerick) Maddox. He was the fifth of eleven children. He grew up in Nemaha and attended Nemaha Public School, where he graduated in 1966 as part of the school’s final graduating class. In high school, he played football and excelled in track.

On December 4, 1966, Gary was united in marriage to Patty Stutheit in Auburn. They made their home in Auburn, and were blessed with three children: Jeff, Robb, and Jodi. Gary and Pat enjoyed 58 years of marriage.

After graduating, Gary began a long career in the cabinet industry. He worked at WoodCarv Cabinets, which later became Tri-Pac and then Armstrong Cabinets. After his retirement from Armstrong, Gary enjoyed working parttime as a driver for Meyer- Earp Chevrolet in Auburn.

Gary was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 59 years. He served God and his church family in many ways. He was known for providing cookies, coffee, tea, and lemonade each week, making sure the coffee and tea were strong and the lemonade extra sweet for the kids.

Gary found joy in helping others, and his life was marked by serving those around him in any way he could. He loved to drive and volunteered by delivering Meals on Wheels, chauffeuring Veterans to appointments, and giving anyone in need a ride to church on Sunday mornings.

Gary was a dedicated Husker football and volleyball fan and cheered on the Kansas City Chiefs. He enjoyed washing his cars, mowing the lawn, and cleaning off snow. He collected tools and may have given away more than he kept. Most of all, Gary loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. They enjoyed trips to the library, going to the Nemaha County Fair, and seeing him at their sporting events, concerts, and graduations. He always brought them donuts in the morning and filled up their cars with gas when they came to visit.

On the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Gary was taken to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, where he passed away unexpectedly at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Floyd, Paul, and Larry, sister Jean Reeves, brothers-in-law Ron Simmons, Craig Davis, and Gary Boham, and sister-in-law Genny Maddox. Gary leaves to mourn his passing his wife Pat; sons and daughters-inlaw Jeff and Carol Maddox of Nebraska City, Robb and Jana Maddox of Lincoln; daughter and son-in-law Jodi and Jon Genthe of Lincoln; grandchildren Nick Maddox, Sydney Maddox, Tara (Dylan) Ribble, Jadyn Maddox, Brayden Genthe, and Braxton Genthe; great-granddaughter Eleanor Ribble; siblings Carol Simmons of Nemaha, Doris (Jerry) Barnard of Lincoln, Mary Davis of Shubert, Alice (Gary) Alexander of Auburn, Pat (Don) Wamsley of Nemaha, Kenny (Tamara) Maddox of Madrid; sisters-in-law Diane Maddox of Nebraska City, Gerri Maddox of Shubert; brother-in-law Terry Reeves of Peru; sister-in-law Judy Boham; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Gary will be deeply missed by all who knew him and will be remembered for his generosity and kindness.

A funeral service was held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Pastor Brent Berg. Sandy Wilson played accompaniment for congregational hymns. Serving as casket bearers were Kevin Boham, Matthew Runkles, Dan Maddox, Jamie Reeves, Adam Maddox, Josh Maddox, Matthew Davis, Jed Wamsley, Andy Wamsley, and Levi Wamsley. Honorary bearers were Nick Maddox, Sydney Maddox, Tara Maddox, Jadyn Maddox, Brayden Genthe, and Braxton Genthe. Buial followed in Trinity Lutheran (Stutheit) Cemetery south of Johnson.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home.