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George Dougherty Madden Obituary

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George Dougherty Madden

Oklahoma City, OK

March 12, 1940 - May 11, 2021

George Dougherty Madden Obituary

GD Madden, Jr. was born to George D. Madden, Sr. and Mary Melba Cannon Madden in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His early years were spent in Braggs, Oklahoma where his family operated the cafe and concession at Greenleaf Lake. He and his sister Sandra worked together with their family. Sandra and GD developed a loving bond that sustained them through many trying times and continued to support each other throughout their lives. When he was fifteen, he moved to Tecumseh, Oklahoma. This is where he met the love of his life and future wife of 62 years, Loretta Beal. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, 1958. Every day since, he loved cherished, adored, and cared for her until the last.


Loretta and GD welcomed two children, Kellye and Doug. He encouraged, supported, and loved them relentlessly. GD taught his children the importance of hard work, dedication, and doing things with excellence. His unconditional love continues to guide them in their everyday lives.


GD led the installation of the first computer system installed in a hospital West of the Mississippi River at the OU Medical Center. After seeing his father-in-law successfully run a small trucking company with a yellow pad and his memory, GD set his sight on the trucking industry. Next came the big leap to a small computing services company that would grow into the world's largest and most successful transportation software supplier. But that success would only come after more than a decade of struggles to survive in an emerging industry. While growing Innovative Computing Corporation to over 300 employees and becoming the industry standard for transportation management systems, GD pioneered the use of many technologies we think of as common today. Voice messaging, GPS tracking, mobile communications, computer optimization, RFID, document imaging were incorporated into GD’s plan and turned into tools to improve people's lives. Using technology to improve people’s lives was a central theme to GD’s vision of a better world. His imagination, tenacity and sheer will led an industry to adopt and embrace new ideas and technology that changed how trucking businesses operate. His success attracted the attention of Westinghouse Electric Co. and GD sold ICC to Westinghouse in 1990.


His second passion was rooted in a desire to give back and use his gifts to help others in need. Clay Crossing Foundation was established to fulfill the need for substance abuse treatment in Oklahoma. GD assembled a team and created a loving, Christian atmosphere in which to help men learn to overcome the despair of addiction. Thousands of men and many more thousands of family members and loved ones have benefited from Clay Crossing. Nothing GD had done in business made him prouder and more hopeful than helping men get well and seeing families restored.


In 1990, GD learned a new kind of love when he became a grandfather. Grant, Maeghan, George IV, and Ethan gave GD an excuse to have fun and go on more adventures. Together they traveled across the country and the world, including to his ancestral home of Ireland. GD had endless pride in his grandchildren’s interests and achievements. He was looking forward to meeting his great-granddaughter in November.


GD was a charter member of St. Andrew’s Community United Methodist Church and served many positions including Chairman of the Administrative Board. He was a proud member of the Koinonia Sunday school class, who he saw as his second family.


He was preceded in death by his parents, George Madden Sr. and Mary Melba Madden and infant brother Claude Madden.


He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Loretta Madden; his sister, Sandra Prince; daughter Kellye Newby and husband Brian; son, Doug and wife Laura; four grandchildren who were the apple of his eye, Grant Newby and wife Serena; Maeghan Savage and husband Nolan; his namesake, George D. Madden IV; his youngest grandson and companion in adventures, Ethan Newby; his great-granddaughter, due in November; niece, Robyn Smith and husband Evan; nephew, Robert Burns and wife Rachelle; brother in-law Rex Beal and wife Diana; niece Nicole Bewley; his beloved dog, Rusty, who adopted GD on April 1st, 2020; and an untold number of friends and colleagues whose lives were forever changed by his kindness and generosity.


GD was a man of honesty, integrity, and second chances. While his family and friends miss him dearly, we are comforted by knowing that he is in Heaven because he trusted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of George Dougherty Madden hosted by Vondel Smith Mortuary.

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