Leland Paul Madison

Leland "Lee" Madison, 76, of Abilene, took his last flight to heaven on Monday, March 24, 2008, after a long and hard fought battle, in a local hospital. Friends of the family may visit on Friday, March 28 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services, with Mr. Jerry Schwalb officiating, will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Memorial Park at the Field of Honor. On October 28, 1931, Lee was born in Lismore, Minnesota to Raleigh Madison and Rhoda (Spaulding) Madison. He graduated from High School in Adrian, Minnesota in1949. He then attended Washington Junior College where he graduated in 1951. Lee served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 until 1954. Following his service in the Army, Lee attended the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1957 with a degree in aeronautical engineering and then trained as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He flew his first tour in Southeast Asia in 1966. He flew his first tour in Southeast Asia in 1966. He flew198 combat missions in the B57 Canberra. In 1971, Lee was transferred to Dyess Air Force Base. While stationed at Dyess, he flew the B52 in 202 combat missions, also in Southeast Asia. He flew a total of 400 combat missions while serving in the USAF. He retired as Base Dyess Air Force Base Operations Officer on February 28, 1978. Lee served for 21 years as a Combat Pilot. Among his many decorations, Lee received five Distinguished Flying Crosses and 25 Air Medals. After retirement, Lee was employed by Abilene Aero as a flight instructor and later ran the Flight School until his retirement in 1992. He taught many Dyess Airmen and local residents to fly small private aircraft. Lee married "Sam" (Margaret Rosemarie Elizabeth Hermenau) on October 9, 1963 in Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio. Lee's greatest loves in life, besides "Sam" and his dog Twister, were flying, woodcarving, painting, and building things with his own hands. Preceding Lee in death were his parents, five brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife, Margaret "Sam" Madison, of Abilene; one son, David Madison and his wife Sarah, of St. Paul Minnesota; two daughters, Ann Madison Van Tassel and her husband Keith, of Houston, and Kathryn Elizabeth Zaengle and her husband Fred, of Warminster, Pennsylvania; his brother-in-law Wolf Dietrich Hermenau and his wife Karin of Munich Germany; nine grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Lee will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and loved him. Memorials may be made in honor of Lee Madison to the Taylor Jones Humane Society, 3811 North 1st, Abilene, Texas 79603; or to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.