John Joseph Madison, PhD, 87, of Wilmington, DE, died on September 19, 2025.
He was born April 23, 1938, in Jersey City, the fifth of six children born to the late Dr. Lena Frances Edwards and Dr. L. Keith Madison. The product of 16 years of Catholic education, he graduated from The Catholic University of America in 1959 with a BSME and a concentration in Fluid Dynamics. This degree prepared him for the next 36 years of his life as his career in air and space developed both in military and civilian life. At Catholic he was also a track star who ran cross country. He was later inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame.
John began his career at Edwards Air Force Base, CA when his US Air Force reserve officer status was activated in 1961. In the five years he was on active duty he served both at Edwards and at the Martin Marietta Air Force Plant Representatives Office in Littleton, CO. He worked in research and development of space launch vehicles most notably developing the turbo pump for the Saturn rocket. Saturn was the launch vehicle for the Apollo Moon Landing Program. He rose to the rank of Captain before leaving military service to work as a civilian Federal employee for the US Air Force, US Naval Air Systems Command and NASA. In these agencies he continued his ground-breaking work leading to innovation and the development of next generation Air Force, Navy, and commercial aircraft turbojet and turbofan engines.
The nineteen years that John spent at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC were his most varied. He worked on developing the next generation of commercial aircraft engines and he served as a Senior Legislative Affairs Officer. In the latter position he moved projects such as the Hubble Telescope and the International Space Station from the laboratory to funded reality. He earned an MS in Research Management and a PhD in Political Science and Public Policy also during this period. John retired from NASA and Federal Service in August 1995 and immediately accepted a position on the faculty of the Evans Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. He taught Political Science and Public Policy full time at UW and served on numerous professional committees. In the year 2000 he received recognition from President Clinton for his work on the President’s Committee for Technological Innovation.
John fully retired in 2003 and moved with his wife, Avril, to Wilmington, DE., where he immediately became active as a volunteer. He worked with the ReadAloud Program; the Creative Mentoring Program at 4 different schools including Warner, Marbrook, Mote and Highland Elementary Schools; and the CCD program at St. Catherine of Siena Church. He has volunteered with these programs since 2004. He also helped lead the successful effort to pass the Child Victim’s Act of 2007 that eliminated the Statute of Limitations for victims of child sexual abuse.
Devoted and generous husband, father, grandfather and uncle. A lifelong Catholic, who faithfully lived his religion. An ardent seeker of the sources and limits of knowledge, he never tired of exploring philosophy, cosmology, theology and geology, John was always a surprise to friends and family alike in giving new perspective to the world around him.
SURVIVORS: John is survived by his daughter Karin Madison Wilson (Leon) of Wilmington, DE. Sons William Madison of Dallas, TX and Jeffrey Madison (Maude Windsor) of Washington, DC. Grandsons Matthew and James Madison of Texas and Austin Wilson of Wilmington, DE. His sole surviving sibling is Mr. Paul Madison (Grand Rapids, MI). He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Funeral services for John J. Madison, PhD will take place at Wilmington’s St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1012 N French St, Wilmington, DE 19801, at 10:30AM on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Visitation will occur first, from 9:30-10:15AM, with a repast to follow the service. John was a proud member of the U.S. military. He will be honored with interment at Delaware Veterans Memorial, Cemetery on October 9, 2025.
