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Donald Leon Maddox, 81

Donald Leon Maddox was born in Pinehurst, Idaho, Feb. 16, 1935. “Donny” passed away Dec. 24, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (age 81).

Don’s early childhood took him through the last years of the Great Depression and World War II. At age 17 (1952), he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean Conflict. Don married Maxine Gillette, from Wardner, Idaho, on July 2, 1955.

Like many young men in Shoshone County in the 1950s, Don provided for his family by working in the logging and mining industries: log truck driver, sawyer, (Barker Sawmill, Teepee Creek; Sverdsten Logging, Cataldo; Buell Logging, St. Maries). Mining: Sunshine Mine and Page Mine.

In the mid-1960s, following a “rock-burst” incident in the Sunshine, Don decided to work above ground, stating, “I have a wife and four kids to take of.” He chose a “commission only job” selling cars for the Kellogg Ford dealership. Don continued in the car sales business until his retirement — working for dealerships in Colville, Wash.; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and eventually his own business too!

Donny was truly a Shoshone County guy! He enjoyed flat-track motorcycle racing, figure 8 stock car racing and demolition derby competitions. The North Fork and the St. Joe were his favorite fishing, hunting, camping and four-wheeling spots! Don was known for scrappin’ it up at times. His most infamous incident led to his appearance before a judge — his mother, Betty, sentenced him to a short stint in the Wallace jail for “disorderly conduct & public brawling.” Donny was a “give the shirt off his back” kind of man. High-spirited, generous, humorous! Some “tall tales” in Shoshone County may or may not be valid, regarding Donny’s adventures.

The Maddox family greatly appreciates Don’s and Maxine’s lifelong friends for their love, support and help through all the good, tough and fun times: Jack and Verna Durick, Pinehurst, Idaho; and Dick and Jean Campbell, Fishtail, Mont.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years (Maxine Gillette, 2002). He is survived by his four children, Sheila, Donna, Monty and Neil; sister Cheri Poole, Arizona; grandchildren Timberly Maddox, Josh Maddox, Courtney Maddox, Ashley George and Jesse Maddox; as well as four great-grandchildren.

Private services planned by English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, and Greenwood Cemetery, Kellogg, Idaho.

Visit Donald’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.