Michael Weston Maddox was a gentle man characterized by his wife, Tami, as a large, burly bear, a presence with love in his heart. He was both of those things and so much more. His was a happy childhood, raised by parents who doted on him, taught by example, encouraged individuality and strength of character. His parents often commented that they’d never known another who made friends as easily as did Mike. This was to be a gift he carried throughout his too-brief lifetime.

He was highly intelligent, perpetually curious, inquisitive and hungry for knowledge, ever questioning, exploring and seeking to understand the nuances of the world around him. At ease by his very nature with all manner of people, Mike seemed most naturally drawn to two things: love of music and an unshakable love for his family. He was inherently a teacher having earned a college degree in education which served him well throughout his life, most especially when interacting with children. He taught himself to play guitar and other instruments; ensured that the world of his son, Grant, and daughter, Katie, abounded with music of all sorts; and filled his own leisure time with the creation and enjoyment of melody and lyric alike. He proved to be not only a dedicated audiophile but also a promisingly gifted composer/writer. Given a few more years, he might well have sought vocation in some music-related endeavor. He knew what it was to be a successful small business owner but harbored dreams of making a vocation of doing for a living something he truly loved.

Mike is remembered by life-long friends as being a “super energetic guy” who “knew everyone” and “will be missed more than words can express.”

The makings of a modern-day renaissance man became apparent in Mike’s make-up early on. In Tami’s words, Mike “nailed everything he tried or set out to do.” That everything encompassed a broad spectrum of interests and activities. He was always a student of sorts, both formally and informally in perpetual pursuit of knowledge. Big dreams, laudable ambitions and the needs of his family helped him meet the demands of modern existence and answer the bell each morning. No matter life’s demands, Mike continually indulged his insatiable curiosity. He taught himself the creative carpentry of being able to fashion beautiful hardwood floors, became a passable blacksmith, enjoyed demanding physical activity such as bicycling with his dad and knew when and how to let his own inner-child out to play.

Along life’s way he may have tilted at his share of windmills and grappled with a demon or two, but he generally set the example for those around him of how to love, how to live. He was, first and foremost, a family man. Time is the most precious of commodities and he never failed to have time for Grant and Katie, joining into their activities, delighting in their interests and accomplishments, teaching and stimulating, setting the right example, lavishing both with respect and love the way only a caring father can do. Equally strong was the bond Mike shared with the love of his life, his Tami, who could honestly say in her grief at losing him so soon “our love was just as strong on the last day of his life as it was the day of our first meeting.” That is a legacy every man might well envy and hope to leave.

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Tamarac; by his beautiful children, Grant Weston (15) and Katherine Renee (11), his father, Craig Maddox (Kim), and mother, Sue Kropf (Omer). Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. St. Rd. 15, Warsaw, IN. Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse is in charge of local arrangements. There will be a private service on Friday, December 4th at Healy Chapel in Aurora, IL. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Educational Memorial Fund established for Grant and Katie Maddox at Fifth Third Bank. Donations may be sent in care of Healy Chapel, 332 West Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506.