Ken Maddox, 78, of Paris, left this life peacefully, Monday, May 5, 2008, at Paris Regional Medical Center.

Starrett Funeral Home conducts funeral services at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Van Lazaroff and the Rev. David Rucker officiating. Interment follows in the Woodland Cemetery.

The body lies in repose at the church for one hour prior to the service.

The family receives friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

He was born July 31, 1929, in Medicine Mound, a son of Benjamin Franklin and Nettie Hightower Maddox. He attended schools in Hardeman County, then served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean Conflict, serving much of his time in Goose Bay, Labrador. Following his military service he enjoyed the honor of serving as Post Commander of the American Legion post in Memphis, TX.

Upon returning from military service he married Jackie Barkley and to this union were born two daughters, Vickie Diane and Debra Lea. He made his home and career in the Borger area until 1974, when he moved to Lamar County, making his home with his mother in Woodland. On Aug. 31, of that year Ken married Eleanor Vaughan Thomas and acquired four stepchildren, whom he treated as his own, Eddie, Janie, Patti and Joy Thomas.

He was a sales representative for MoorMan Manufacturing Company in Nacogdoches, Paris, and northwest Ohio. Upon retiring he continued with his first career choice, cattle ranching, until 1999. A lifelong Methodist, he was a member of First United Methodist Church and its New Era/Upper Room Sunday School class.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Jackie; six brothers, Porter, Linus, John, Ted, Frank and Jack; one sister, Ruby Goodnight; and one step-son, James Edwin "Eddie" Thomas.

He is survived by daughters, Vickie Ryan, and husband, Greg, of Big Spring and Debra Martin, of Springfield, Mo. Also surviving are three granddaughters, Jennifer Lambillotte, Lindsey Lambillotte and Suzan Lambilllotte, and husband, Phil Mason. Also surviving to grieve his loss are Janie Thomas, and husband, Robert Young, of Coppell, Patti Jenkins, and husband, Shawn, of Carrollton, and Joy Negron, of Kingwood; other grandchildren, Kenneth and Sean Karl Negron and Sarah and Wesley Jenkins. Surviving brothers are Tom Maddox, and wife, Colleen, and Stan Maddox, and wife, Edna, of Pinhook, and Bob Maddox, and wife, Kay, of Carrollton. Surviving sisters are Cecile Grange, of White Deer and Mary Ann Harris, of Burleson, along with numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Named to serve as casketbearers are Jerry Bailey, Ron Martin, Tony Hutto, Harlan Brown, Larry Carney and Andy Fasken.

Honorary pallbearers are Steve Wright, Bobby Pratt, Mackey Charles, Leo Caldwell, Jay Bost, Gilbert Terry and Carl Cooper.