Michael David Madden passed peacefully on June 22nd, 2025, at the age of 72 in Overland Park, Kansas, after a valiant 3 1/2-year struggle with Lewy- Body Dementia. Born on December 31, 1952, in Springfield, MO, Mike lived a vibrant life filled with passions, pursuits, and joys that he shared with everyone around him.
Mike excelled in high school, both academically and athletically. He played varsity basketball, baseball, track and cross country. He was a 4-year letterman in most of his athletic endeavors. Mike also participated in speech and debate, winning the Green County debate tournament in his junior year. Additionally, he also participated in band, and drama.
To put himself through college, he worked as a journeyman electrician while attending college full time. He graduated from MO State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1976.
Mike met love of his life Sandra Smith and they were united in marriage on September 22, 2014. They enjoyed eleven and a half years of happy memories and adventures together. She was his sole care giver for the 3 ½ years during his courageous fight.
Upon graduation from college Mike worked primarily in the field of insurance-adjacent support, generally in high level executive positions. He worked in several well-known and well-respected companies, such as Equifax, Quest Diagnostics, Advantmed and Datafied. He was an extremely dedicated and diligent leader in his field, holding several senior positions such as Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer. After a career which spanned over 40 years, he retired in 2022.
Mike was an extremely active person. He loved athletics and played baseball with an amateur team while in college. He also was an avid golfer, surfer, mountain bicyclist and many other athletic activities. He exercised all his life and was always physically fit, until he was stricken with a debilitating disease. Even then, he continued to work out regularly until he was no longer able to do so.
Mike was a person who had many important gifts. He was extremely intelligent. He worked hard and played hard and rarely accepted failure as an option. He was also a great friend, brother, husband and son. He treated all people with respect and believed in fairness
Perhaps his greatest gift, however, was his sense of humor. He loved to laugh and could laugh until he cried. He could and generally did find humor in just about every situation. People enjoyed being around him because he would have them laughing as hard as he did. Basically, he was a great storyteller.
Mike was a unique and delightful individual. He will be truly missed.
In death, Mike leaves behind: his beloved wife: Sandra (Smith) Madden, Leawood, KS his brothers: Sean Madden and Brian Madden of Springfield, MO, daughter: Lauren Dwight, (David Dwight) Marina, CA sons: Cory Madden Warsaw, MO, and Jeremy Madden (Darcie Madden) Gardener, KS. He also leaves behind a host of cousins, business associates and countless good friends
Mike was preceded in death by his loving parents, Curtis Madden and Virginia Highfill Madden.
The last five months of Mike’s life he was at Brookdale College Square Memory Care for which the family would like to give heartfelt thank you for his care.
As we gather to celebrate Mike’s incredible life, we invite friends and family to join us for a visitation on June 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM at Greenlawn Funeral Home, North. A heartfelt funeral service will be held at the Fair Grove United Methodist Church on June 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM, where we will share stories and memories of a truly remarkable man. Following the service, a burial ceremony will take place at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Fair Grove following.
Though Mike has left this world, his spirit and legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him. We look forward to celebrating his life with you, filled with laughter, love, and the joyous memories he gifted us all.