James Paul Madison, 74, of La Porte, Ind. and snowbird of Florida, passed away peacefully at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Tavares Hospice House, Cornerstone Hospice, Tavares, Fla.
He was born Sept. 25, 1945 in La Porte to George Christian Madison and Dorothy (Meyers) Madison.
Jim started working at Five Star Grocery where he was the dairy manager. After the store closed, he went to work at Sauers in the parts department for several years; he retired in 2005 from Napa Auto Parts. Jim had a side business, M&M corvette with his partner, Sam Mounce. He was an avid car buff. Jim loved to restore cars; his pride was a 1965 Pontiac GTO, fondly nicknamed “Ecto.” He also loved his 1965 Corvette convertible, fondly nicknamed “Mr. R.”
He was an avid race fan of Indy cars and was later into NASCAR, where he always rooted for the man in black, Dale Earnhardt. Jim enjoyed watching Counting Cars, American Pickers and car auctions on television. He enjoyed attending his grandson’s sporting events. Jim enjoyed traveling, walking his beloved Scottish terrier, Tootsie in the park, and going for ice cream. He enjoyed going to car shows, swap meets, antique shopping to flea markets. Jim will be fondly remembered by the nicknames “Hamburger” and “Fillmore.” He was a lifetime owner of several Scottish Terriers.
On April 16, 1966 in La Porte he married his first wife, Joyce Ann (Wright) Madison, who preceded him in death Aug. 3, 2009.
On January 10, 2019 in La Porte he married his second wife, Mary (Keehn) Madison, who survives.
Also surviving are his daughter, Susan Dubbs, of La Porte; one grandchild, Anthony (Morgan) Dubbs, of La Porte; two great-grandchildren, Graham and Landon; brother-in-law, Tom Ingram, of La Porte; cousin, Jacquie Madison of Phoenix, Ariz.; nephew, Glen Peabody of Mount Clair, Ill.; and his beloved Scottish Terrier, Tootsie.
Preceding in death were his parents; and infant brother, Richard Madison.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, March 30 at Lakeview Funeral Home & Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., La Porte, (219) 362-3100, where a funeral celebrating his life will be held at noon with Pastor James Bouslog officiating. Burial will follow the service at Kingsbury Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the La Porte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 W. St. Rd. 2, La Porte, Ind., 46350 and/or to a Scottish Terrier Rescue in memory of James Paul Madison.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.