Donald Barry Madeksho

1962 - 2025

Donald B. Madeksho, 62, of Collierville, TN, entered into eternal rest on March 2, 2025. Don was born November 24,1962, in Berwyn, Illinois to Melvyn and Anna Marie Merryman Madeksho. He lived in Hampton Park and Northbrook, IL, and Forrest City, AR. In 1973, the family settled in Memphis. As a boy Don was always an inquisitive kid. His hobbies included math, science, electronics, computers and working out, but he liked physics best. He was an avid Star Trek fan and loved watching wrestling on Saturday mornings. His early involvement in sports included water skiing challenges with his two brothers. At Christian Brothers High School he ran cross country and then discovered what would soon become his passion for wrestling. During high school he was a camp counselor at the YMCA which started his love of teaching. During Don's senior year at a SEARCH follow-up, he met Susan Henderson (BBHS Class of 1981). She quickly became the love of his life. For the next six years they were inseparable. Don began his college years in 1980 as an Electrical Engineering major at Christian Brothers College. He later graduated from Memphis State University with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Finance. Susan became his "forever and always" when they were married in 1987 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. That same year, Don's teaching and wrestling coaching career began at Bishop Byrne High School. He then taught and coached wrestling at Memphis University School. In 1993 his team brought home that school's first Class S Region Championship. After a brief venture in the insurance business, he realized his true calling in life was teaching math, coaching wrestling and mentoring students. He returned to what he loved most at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School (SBA) where he spent the last 23 years. While at SBA, Don began to teach second generations of students and continued to share his love of knowledge. He always said, "teaching is not what I do, but who I am." Don and Susan chose adoption to complete their family. In 1997 they joyfully brought Adrienne home from China. The family are members of Catholic Church of the Incarnation where they raised Adrienne in the Catholic faith. Don was an adoring father and encouraged Adrienne in her education and her love of sports. He was thrilled when she joined him as assistant wrestling coach. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Mel and Ann. Survivors include his devoted wife, Susan; daughter, Adrienne Lynn Madeksho; his brothers, David (fiancée Jeanette) and Jeff (Chris); numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and lifelong friends. Don's love for his nephews and nieces and his joy in spending quality time with them was evident. He made sure they could perform a perfect push up, a half nelson and do a Vulcan salute. This love and joy carried over into his relationships with his students and wrestlers. Uncle Don is survived by nephews Sam (Natalie) Henderson and sons Sammy and James, Charles and Jacob White, Jimmy (Samantha) Madeksho and children Ben, Liam and Peyton; Joey Madeksho, Troy Henderson IV and Andy Madeksho; and nieces Nikki Madeksho (Michael) Enright and daughter Audrey; Julia Henderson and Diane Madeksho. Coach Madeksho leaves behind a lasting impact on countless colleagues, students, athletes and their parents. The ripples will be felt by all of us for our lifetimes. To remember and celebrate Don's life of service, a visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8th, in the gymnasium at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School, 8250 Varnavas Drive, Cordova, TN, beginning at 9:30 AM. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM in the school gym. In honor of Don's love for SBA please wear red and blue. A reception will follow at the school. The family requests that memorials be made to the SBA Student Scholarship Fund, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the charity of your choice.