O. Gene Maddox, 76, died Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Ramsey Village in Des Moines. A Memorial Prayer Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 8 at Iles Westover Chapel. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
O. Gene Maddox was born on August 23, 1938 in Chillicothe, Illinois to Orville Fulton Maddox and Helen Iona Placher Maddox. He graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1956. He received his B.S. from Northwestern University in 1960 and attained a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern Law School in 1962. While attending Northwestern Law School he served as an editor of the Law Review. Gene served as President of his Fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma.
Following graduation he moved to Des Moines and became an associate of Brody, Parker, Roberts, Thoma & Harris law firm. In 1978 he joined Mid-Continent Industries and served as Vice President of Employee Relations, Secretary and General Counsel until 1978. He maintained a private law practice from 1978 to 2006.
Gene was elected to the Clive City Council in 1975, elected Mayor of Clive in 1977 and served until 1992. While Mayor, Gene championed the Clive Festival and the Clive Fun Run. During his terms as Mayor, Gene championed a number of intergovernmental activities, including the formation of the Mid Iowa Association of Local Governments (culminating in the periodic meeting of local government leaders [local mayors, county supervisors & others]). In 1996 he began serving as a State Senator and later as a State Representative until 2007.
Gene served on board of directors for Polk County March of Dimes, Polk County Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association (vice president), League of Iowa Municipalities (president 1987 – 88) and Iowa Jaycees (president 1968-69). In addition, Gene was a member of a number of other public service and professional groups including the American Bar Association, the Polk County Bar Association, the Des Moines Sertoma Club, Clive Lions Club, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Northwest Rotary Club, and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. He also was an active volunteer reader for visually impaired persons on the IRIS radio network.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Des Moines Affiliate of the American Diabetes Association or to Camp Hertko Hollow in Gene's name. Online condolences are welcomed at IlesCares.com.
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