Austin Maddox Jr.

Austin Chester Maddox Jr., 74, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, died unexpectedly Thursday, November 10, 2022, at his home. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2022, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff with Pastor Andrew Griess officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff.  The United States Navy and Gering American Legion Post 36 Funeral Honor Guard will provide military honors.  The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Austin’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com. Memorials may be made in care of the family.

Austin was born August 26, 1948, in Stockton, California to Austin Sr. and Gertrude (Schaltegger) Maddox. The family moved to Arizona where Austin attended high school in Phoenix.  He entered the United States Navy at age seventeen, serving during the Vietnam War.  He was stationed on the USS Newport News during a portion of his active duty.  His decorations and awards included the Navy Combat Action Medal, the Navy Unit Combination Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He enrolled with Northwestern College following his honorable discharge from the Navy.  Austin attended night school earning a bachelor’s degree.

Austin became a father in 1972 when he welcomed his first daughter, Gayle.  He married Susan Loose in 1989 and to this union a second daughter, Sara, was born.

Austin began a career in the meat packing industry working for Cargill and Tyson Foods. A car accident in 2003 forced him into early retirement.  He later suffered from a stroke that occurred in 2014, but despite his health ailments and disabilities, Austin always remained very positive and upbeat, never losing his sense of humor.  He was quick-witted and an expert jokester, bringing smiles and laughs to everyone who encountered him.  Drawing was something he found that he enjoyed doing when he could no longer be active.

He was so proud of his family, and was especially close to his daughter, Sara, and his twin grandchildren. Austin always used to say, “When you need me rub your heart and know I’m always there.”

Survivors include his wife, Susan Maddox of Scottsbluff; daughters, Sara (Tyler) Simmons of Scottsbluff and Gayle (Todd) Anderson of Chicago; grandchildren, Teddy and Scarlett Simmons of Scottsbluff, and Dakota, Teagan, and Payton Anderson of Chicago; sister, Anita Haggard of Houston, TX; along with other extended family members and friends.

Austin was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry and Ron Maddox; sister, Sonja Duprest; and in-laws, Albert and Irene Loose.