The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

On February 8, 2023, Douglas Charles Madden lost his battle with ALS, a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive nerve death resulting in paralysis.

Doug was a quiet sort of of person with few close friends or acquaintances. He spent all of his life working at his jobs to support his family. Doug was employed by Kmart in store management after earning a business degree from the University of Washington in 1980. After a return to the Portland area Doug worked for Pay-N-Pak, George Morlan Plumbing, and Chown Hardware.

Upon his retirement, the rapid progression of his disease set in immediately. Doug resisted the devastating illness that gradually rendered him paralyzed. His last days were spent making the best of this situation with grace, dignity and strength. This was an ongoing theme for Doug's life; never giving up under frequent obstacles placed in front of him. He never yielded.

The loss of movement and dexterity was especially difficult for Doug because his joys in life centered around the use of hand tools. His best times were spent on home improvement projects, restoration of old Chevrolets and Pontiacs, and maintaining the family home.

Skamokawa was his favorite place to be; watching the daily tide coming in and out, the eagles in the trees, and the forests and natural green spaces that make this area what it is.

Doug leaves his family including James Fisher, his longtime companion, Linda Madden, the mother of his three children; Mike, Alanna, and Truman Madden. His two grandchildren, Ruth and Jack. Also, his dear sister Truchet Miller, and her four children; Vance Miller, Monte Longtain, Candy Longtain, and Sam Longtain, and their beautiful families.

A graveside service will be held at Fernhill Cemetery on Friday February 17, at 2 pm. Doug will join his father Harold, mother Georgette, and brother Marco who preceded him. Also, he will join his childhood friends from Skamokawa; Ronnie Tarabochia and Timmy Anderson who also lay at rest and in memoriam on the same windy tree lined mountain.

- Paid Obituary -