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Kim Madsen Obituary
55, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011, surrounded by his beloved wife, Jackie, and many of his closest friends, following complications arising from his valiant battle with prostate cancer. The "Garage Doors of Heaven" opened at that special moment while rejoicing in the Glory of our Heavenly Father. Kim was a nationally known specialist in Corvettes and restored them at his shop, Corvette Restoration AZ (www.corvetterestorationaz.com) in Tempe, Arizona. His restorations have been featured in numerous magazines and in a forthcoming Celebrity Corvette Calendar. Prior to his death, Kim was working on television and video production plans and served as a radio commentator on automotive issues. Kim's standing as one of the country's leading authorities on Corvette history, mechanics, and restoration in conjunction with his cheerful, magnetic personality, led to his hosting the reality television series "The Vette Whisperer." Kim was a member of the International Cancer Advocacy Network's (ICAN) Advisory Council and was the organization's national spokesman on prostate cancer issues. Kim belonged to numerous Corvette Car Clubs and many special interest auto/race groups. In his creative time, Kim was also a gifted musician and will forever play a soothing song to all our hearts. Born in Morristown, NJ, Kim was raised in Parsippany, NJ. He is predeceased by his parents, Doug and Joan Madsen and brother, Scott. Kim is survived by Jackie, his soul mate and wife of 25 years, sisters: Debbie Madsen and husband, Jim Suter; Jacki Schley and husband, Don, Sister-In-Law, Donna Madsen, Brother-in-laws: Jerry Polarek and wife, Tami, Jeff Polarek and wife, Cathy, John Polarek and wife, Lisa and his favorite Mother & Father-In-Law, Sandra & Donald Francois. Kim is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. "Sparkie" & "Fuelie" (the "pit-crew"), Kim's beloved pets will miss their "crew-chief." There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 4th, 10:00 am, at Central Christian Church, 933 North Lindsay Road, Mesa, AZ 85213. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kim's memory may be made to the Kim Ian Madsen Prostate Cancer Program at the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN), 27 West Morten Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021 or online at http://www.askican.org/index.html.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kim Madsen
Sponsored by Jackie Madsen.
Rich Bricklin
May 28, 2022
A day does not go by with out thinking of Kim. Ya see cars driving the streets which were his passion, Vet's and some other vintage carriages! He was an artist with rebuilding - surly had a passion for the work and life. RIP
Marcia Horn
May 23, 2020
Working with Kim and Jackie on his prostate cancer case at ICAN positioned our ICAN prostate cancer patients going forward with molecular profiling and clinical trials matching services based on his complex and ever-challenging case. Kim is much missed by all of us at ICAN. If you would like to submit via email a written tribute to or your memories of Kim, please email ICAN's Kim Madsen Prostate Cancer Program at: [email protected]
Jackie, you were and are forever the model of the proactive spouse advocate who was absolutely tireless in the fight for Kim's life. Hugs to you!
Marcia Horn, ICAN CEO
Jill Johnson 480.600.5268
April 18, 2020
Thank you Jackie, for keeping Kim alive in our minds and in our hearts! I visit this site often and truly am thankful for the memories and for the love Jackie and Kim shared.
I was visiting with two wonderful auto experts, I had met a few months ago. Well come to find out those two gentlemen knew and had work with Kim over the years! It was so wonderful to know that Kim lives on thru so many wonderful people. It shows what a powerful personality Kim possessed and all the lives he touched! Kim loved sharing his knowledge with others and others are still sharing his knowledge to this day! For three people to come together, without knowing they shared something in common is astonishing! Then for it to be the one and only Kim Madsen shows is all what a brilliant man Kim was and always will be! Kim brought so many people together and he is still here with us, doing what made him happy, bringing people together by knowing him! So proud to know him and hes as famous now as was then!
Thank you Jackie for sharing him like you did! I feel I already know you, as Kim always spoke so highly of you! I really hope to meet you Jackie, it would warm my heart to meet his better half!
Marcia Horn
May 23, 2019
Kim, we will never forget you, and we will never forget the amazing advocacy of Jackie!
The Kim Madsen Prostate Cancer Program at ICAN is helping patients across the world in Kim's beloved memory,
askican.org
Jill Johnson
April 26, 2018
I still think of you Kim and remember your smiling face and sharing so many fun times!
No one will ever forget you, you are and will forever live through your family and friends!
Forever your friend,
Jill Johnson
Brian Aretz
April 10, 2013
My heart goes out to Jackie and Kim's family. My brother use to work at Kim's gas station in Boonton NJ. I went to work with him and met Kim. I have many fond memories of Kim, he would take us quading, let me hang around and help him working on cars. he was the coolest guy with his corvettes I really looked up to him.I lost touch with Kim when he moved to Arizona. I always wanted to reconnect with him. I just sorry it took so long.
Marcia Horn
May 22, 2012
We will do everything possible at ICAN, the International Cancer Advocacy Network, to continue to bring The Kim Ian Madsen Prostate Cancer Program into national and international renown. If you would like to write a tribute in memory of Kim or submit photos, please
email us at
[email protected]
The website where Kim's named program is (go to Program Services and then Named Programs): www.askican.org
We are working on a Celebrity Corvette Calendar in Kim's honor and memory--a very important project to him in the year before he passed. We have a great team, and Jackie and I need your Sponsorship help to get this over the finish line for Kim.
Best regards,
Marcia Horn
CEO
ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network
[email protected]
rich your brother
May 21, 2012
kim, your truly missed by many. Your art work with automobiles will be missed. I thank you for the friendship and for the mentoring you gave me.
Judith DeRaad
May 3, 2012
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I only knew Kim briefly as he helped me with repairs and restorations of my '02 Corvette. I only now found out about Kim and his valiant battle with prostate cancer. I am so sorry for your loss.
Bryan Martyn
October 21, 2011
Kim was a good friend and Christain Brother. I know we'll see each other again. I can hardly wait to see what he's driving on those streets of gold...
He will be missed.
Bryan
MICHAEL SELVANTO
September 8, 2011
I just found out that my brother Kim has passed.... we were both busy this spring, but got to talk when we had time....he stayed at my house when he came to visit NJ, I will miss him and he will always be a part of me and my car, he signed the dash and it will be there forever,,,,but he is not alone...my son Michael whom Kim loved also passed away this July, he was only 19, but now he and Kim are in heaven building cars together, I love you both and will miss you guys, but you will always be a part of me....Mike Selvanto, CFM PERFORMANCE, NJ
Jo Ann Long
July 29, 2011
Kim was a wonderful friend. I just found out about his recent death. Kim I will always love you as one of my greatest friends. Kim I know you are in heaven. You always had such a great heart for others. We will all miss you until we meet in heaven.
Jo Ann Long
Janet Smith Ferguson
June 13, 2011
Dear Madsen Family, Please know my prayers are with you at your great time of sorrow. I was so looking forward to meeting Kim at a Parsippany Hills High School reunion. I very much appreciated his Christian spirit and his passion for his beloved Corvette. So sorry for your loss. Peace, Janet Smith, PHHS '74
Marcus Giavanni
June 10, 2011
I have known Kim Ian for over 35 years.
We prayed just before his condition got worse. (we would always pray after we would talk.
I know everyone that truly knew Kim Ian knows he is in Heaven...!
That is where he said he wanted to go to.
We both knew what was going to happen, but he said he would miss all his friends...especially his wife and working on Corvettes.
This is a wakeup call to all men, and it was important for Kim Ian to educate men on Prostate Cancer.
We will see each other again Mr. Kim Ian Madsen.
I have 6 Radio shows with Kim Ian Madsen if you would like copies of the radio shows you will hear a man who was all about love and forgiveness.
R.I.P. my brother!
Anonymous
June 9, 2011
So many memories of a body full of life
He wouldn’t eat his pieces of lobster one piece at a time, he would crack open several sections and before eating any he would insert each piece into his bowl of butter and then eat them after his butter bowl was full
He was incredibly insightful and intelligent very much like his father and mother – if they had been lawyers or doctors (which each had the intelligence to be) then so too would he have been…his brother was the same way, extremely intelligent, aware, and insightful…Kim could always provide a unique perspective on any subject, and convey it while laughing and in a way that was understandable
And after most every statement, like his mom did, he would smile or laugh – that wonderful smile that seemed to come from his heart, so charming and charismatic
He came from a home that was filled with love and business sense, where calico lampshades were manufactured in the backroom, Fords were restored in their garage, and peanut butter toast was made every morning before work…
And make you laugh, he could. I don’t know if it was because his laugh was so infectious or if he was really funny or some combination of both – but Kim sure could make me laugh – he had such a “motor” when it came to laughing; his entire family did…a gift for sure
And he had such a presence, not only because of his barrel chest, but also from the way he carried himself, always so confident and sure, …a unique energy radiated from inside of him – he was so full of life; it was like a all the lights got brighter when he entered a room…
When I heard of his passing I couldn’t help but to feel badly for all of those, like myself, who enjoyed so much to be around him. The memories we shared are some of my best…
And, one thing is for sure, if there is a heaven, and if in heaven there are jobs for certain people to do, then Kim is either in charge or on his way to being in charge – not because he’s bossy or domineering but because he can attract the most followers and do the best job…or perhaps a more likely scenario is that his mom is in charge… and she convinced God that she needed a fourth to round out her table at her Clam Broth House in Heaven…
Rest in Peace, Kim Ian Madsen
Jill Johnson
June 7, 2011
Kim, I had no idea you left us and I am so sad I never got to say goodbye! Please know that you are and always will be a special guy to me and I love you always!
Love you Kim forever,
Jill Johnson
June 7, 2011
Kim was a long time friend and was part of our family. He was like a brother to me. I will remember him always.....Warren Alvord (Orange, CA)
Paula Peranio
June 6, 2011
You will be missed but never forgotten a little piece of you will always live on. Forever in our hearts.
Tommy Z
June 4, 2011
This is a sad day for the corvette family as well as his own.
A true friend and a class act. Kim always made time for everyone and cherished his friendships. You always felt it and always felt his true caring and love which he expressed to everyone crossed his path.
You'll be missed my friend
Tommy Z
June 4, 2011
This is a sad day for the corvette family as well as his own.
A true friend and a class act. Kim always made time for everyone and cherished his friendships. You always felt it and always felt his true caring and love which he expressed to everyone crossed his path.
You'll be missed my friend
Liza Tatum
June 4, 2011
Kim, my buddy, my pal. There arent words to describe your amazing ways! You were always there for me, through thick and thin. You were one of the most generous, kind, and understanding friends I have ever known. I hate that I wasnt able to say goodbye, but it makes me smile to know your with Jesus now. We had some wonderful days, truly laughing. I love you my friend. I do believe that God takes the good ones too soon:(. Rest now, no more pain.
Bonnie Knipp Hiner
June 3, 2011
Kim & I were in the same kindergarten class together. We lived a block a part in Lk. Parsippany and played as children, still close up til he took his last breath...keeping up with our lives and talking sometimes a couple of times a week. He is so strong & empathetic. A kind & generous man with so much compassion...he wanted to help anyone in need. We laughed, cried, and prayed together, especially towards the end. I will miss my dear friend terribly but am relieved that he is no longer suffering so. God said enough and now he is at peace. He used to tell me to imagine an angel with big soft fluffy wings wrapping them around me when I had a bad day...he was right. Always thinking about helping me even when some days he could barely speak. I love him and know that I will see him again. My Faith tells me this and it brings me comfort. Strong til the end...what an incredible example of a man...a real man. Xo
June 3, 2011
I met Kim a few years back and had the opportunity to see his many works of art. His spirit and passion for his work was a true inspiration knowing the struggle he was dealing with. Kim was a true master of his craft. Kim will be missed.
Terry Finnegan - Scottsdale
Cathy Williquette Lindsay
June 2, 2011
I have so many fond memories of Kim but will share the first time I had the pleasure of meeting him. A group of close high-school classmates of his wife Jackie traveled from Wisconsin to Tempe to vacation. Kim and Jackie were dating and it is was our first time meeting him. We had so much fun! It was a vacation I will never forget! Kim was so generous with his time and "toys"! We were treated to scenic rides in his Brickland's through the Arizona countryside. Several nights we were treated to Kim and his band playing for us! The funniest thing I will never forget is the morning after one of the band nights where lots of friends attended Kim brought the garden hose into the house and literally washed the floor with it! What a hoot! I will forever miss his infectious laugh and beautiful smile and the love and friendship he gave to his beloved wife and my good friend Jackie! Hold a spot for me in Heaven Kim! Cathy Williquette Lindsay
June 2, 2011
Kim was senior scout advisor in Boy Scouts troop...He always took time to make sure all the new pledges completed their tasks and loved to lead us in troop competitions. My greatest memories are of Kim and Scott being split up to make the teams more even. I was lucky enough to be picked to be on Kim's team and even luckier to know him in Life. He was a great friend , neighbor and school mate. Joe Chmura, Par-Hills 77
Ted Lowenthal
June 1, 2011
Kim will be missed by many, he possessed a gift of charm and kindness. We worked the road rally "Copper State 1000" for many years together. I drove a wrecker and Kim was the lead mechanic for eighty to one hundred cars. At the end of a rally a few years ago, Kim asked me if I was going to the formal dinner on the last night of the event. I told him that the wrecker drivers were not invited. He replied, We'll see about that. It wasn't long after that I received my invitation. That evening would also bring recognition for a job well done. The living world has lost an Angel.
Ihor Petrenko
May 31, 2011
Kim was in the process of restoring my 1962 Vette. He was very adament to make sure the restoration was done correctly and to standard. He was a source of much Knowledge. I will miss him. A huge loss to the Corvette World. My thoughts and prayers are with Kim's Family, Friend's and Relatives.
Jim Dodd
May 30, 2011
I went to Parsippany Hills High School with Kim. Kim always seemed calm, cool and collected, always thinking. Over the Internet I enjoyed watching Kim’s company take-off and I enjoyed talking with him at last year’s high school reunion. Such a bright light with so much more to offer this world, my condolences to Kim's family.
Dennis Yuhasz
May 30, 2011
Went to school wirh Kim in Parsippany, NJ...RIP
Natalie Jacoby
May 30, 2011
A Golden Heart stopped beating, a beautiful smile now rests. God breaks our hearts to prove he only takes the best ........Will always Love You and Miss You <3
Marcia Horn
May 29, 2011
The boards, councils, staff, and volunteers of the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN), in remembrance of our wonderful friend and colleague Kim Madsen, will do everything possible to realize the goals and dreams he had for the Kim Ian Madsen Prostate Cancer Program which he established at ICAN over a year ago. Kim was one-of-a-kind, and we know that he will continue to inspire our efforts as we move forward with our multi-faceted plans and projects that benefit the Madsen Program and ICAN prostate cancer patients worldwide.
Kim's powers of persuasion and effectiveness as ICAN's National Prostate Cancer Spokesman and as a key member of our Leadership Council will be deeply missed. We will work relentlessly in Kim's memory until metastatic prostate cancer becomes a maintenance disease (versus a lethal disease) and until prostate cancer is eradicated.
Jackie, your unwavering faith, strength, and eloquence throughout Kim's battle were and will remain an inspiration to all of Kim's family and friends as well as the many cancer patients he touched. Kim loved you so very dearly, and our hearts break for you--the enduring light and love of his life. Please know and feel the sentiments that no words could ever adequately convey.
Marcia Horn, CEO, ICAN
International Cancer Advocacy Network
[email protected] (to submit
photos, memories, and tributes to Kim for the Madsen Program)
www.askican.org
Elaine Madsen
May 29, 2011
We will miss you!! You made me laugh so hard. So many great times!! Very sad.
Bunny & Smitty Smith
May 29, 2011
To the Madsen Family, Please accept our sincere sympathy. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. So very sad.
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