Obituary for John McFadden

John Downing McFadden was born November 14, 1931, in Ponca City. He was the son of Joe E. McFadden and Ruth Kendall McFadden. He attended Ponca City schools and graduated with the class of 1950. He went on to attend Oklahoma A&M University where he was President of Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduated with a BS degree in Business.

He was drafted into the United States Army and served two years during the Korean conflict.

On February 2, 1957, he married Geraldine Elaine Wyatt in Cushing, Oklahoma.

John was an entrepreneur and successful businessman. He spent several years at Conoco in various management positions and then owned and operated several private businesses including McFadden Moving and Storage, Wiser Construction Company and Magic Air Manufacturing. He then served Kay County for eight years as District One Commissioner. He served as a board member of Pioneer Bank and Trust. He spent his retirement years managing commercial and residential real estate properties in Enid and Ponca City.

During his successful business career, John gave back to the Ponca City community by serving as the United Way President and Drive Chairman, Member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA and Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Cancer Drive, President of Ponca City Welfare, Founding Member of Ponca City Public School Foundation and Board of Trustees of Ponca City Industrial Foundation. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church since childhood.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gerry McFadden of the home; his daughter Barbara Leathers of Enid, OK; son Mark McFadden and wife Cindy of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; son Mike McFadden and wife Michelle of Rogers, Arkansas. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Alison Leathers Hill and husband Tyler, Madeline Leathers, Downing McFadden, Connor McFadden, Garrett McFadden, Payton McFadden, Luke McFadden and Abby McFadden. He is also survived by one brother, Joe McFadden and wife Helen of Bethany, Oklahoma, nephew Scott McFadden of Edmond, Oklahoma, and niece Kim McFadden Clark of Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Martha Jo.

The family wishes to thank Tiffanie Graham for her care and devotion to John over the past few months.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 21 at 11:00 am at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Arkansas chapter, 1501 North Pierce, Suite 114, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207.

Source: Trout Funeral Home