Dr. Delbert E. Maddox

Dr. Delbert E. Maddox
Dr. Delbert E. Maddox, 97, of Kirksville passed away Sunday (March 28, 2010) at the Forum at Desert Harbor in Peoria, AZ.
The son of Orean and Maude (Thompson) Maddox, he was born on June 22, 1912 in Hannibal, MO. He was united in marriage to Lucy Louise Surbeck on June 10, 1942 in Norfolk, VA, who preceded him in death on July 5, 1993. He was also preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, one sister, and one granddaughter, Alex Maddox.
Delbert is survived by one son, Dr. D. Matthew Maddox of Glendale, AZ; one daughter, Louise Michele Maddox-Grott of Twentynine Palms, CA, six grandchildren, Dana Kay Davis Fischer, Channing Michele Dallstream, Gilbreath Tazhann Maddox Collins, Michna Chantelle Collins Livingston, Ian Matthew Maddox and Gabrielle Marie Maddox, nine great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter and one sister-in-law,Ruth Maddox of Hannibal, MO.
Delbert was born and raised in Hannibal, MO, he attended and graduated from the Hannibal High School. In the fall of 1932, he arrived in Kirksville to attend Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. During the years 1932 to 1936, Delbert lettered in all four sports all four years and also was elected to the office of president of his fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma. In 1936, following his graduation, Delbert entered graduate school at the University of Missouri receiving a Masters in Education in 1938, and serving as an assistance freshman football and varsity baseball coach. Following graduation, Delbert elected to teach in the Memphis, MO public schools in the fall of 1938. He served as head of the Social Science department and Athletic Director of the school. In March of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, the Tunney Physical Fitness program. Completing his training at Norfolk, VA, he was selected to remain on the staff of the fitness school as an instructor. He was transferred to Oklahoma A & M College in Stillwater, OK, as an athletic and drill officer. In June of 1943, a change of duty took him into the Armed Guard duty aboard Liberty ships in the Atlantic Ocean. He served 19 months of sea duty and a total of 3 and ½ years in the U. S. Navy. He was discharged as a Lieutenant in September of 1945. In the fall of 1945, Del accepted a teaching position at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College and became Chairman of the Department of Physical Education and Athletic Director. After six years of teaching, Del decided to enter Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1955. He interned at KCOM in 1956 and over the next thirty years taught at KCOM. He was appointed Head of the Department of General Practice in 1956 and served in that capacity until retiring in 1986. Dr. Maddox created the Rural Clinic program which continues to serve the outlying rural northeast Missouri area. He also taught evening classes at NMSU one night a week for twenty five years.
Delbert was a member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church, American Osteopathic Association, The American College of General Practice serving as its State President and, finally, as National President in 1976, Kiwanis Club serving as president, Truman State Hall of Fame, All Century Team, Sigma Tau Gamma, Alpha Phi Omega, Theta Psi, Acacia Club, Adair Lodge # 366 A. F. & A. M., Kirksville Country Club, United Way, Boy Scouts and the Kirksville Public Library.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 5, 2010, at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Don Noble officiating. Instrumental music will be provided by Dianthe Cable, organist. A private entombment service will be held at the Maple Hills Chapel Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday (April 2, 2010) at the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Memorials are suggested to the Athletic Department at Truman University or the Osteopathy Manipulation Department at A.T. Still University and may be sent or left at the funeral home.