Donald Leo Madden

Donald Leo Madden

December 22, 2024

LEXINGTON, Kentucky - Donald Leo Madden, 87, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Don was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and teacher and will be greatly missed.

Don grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of George and Anna Agnes (Delaney) Madden. Don's parents were hard working and incredibly committed to the Catholic faith.

Don joined the United States Navy on October 20, 1956. He served for two years on a destroyer, the U.S.S. Stormes. Aboard ship, Don's talent for finances and teaching blossomed. He was promoted several times and became a disbursing clerk, managing payroll for hundreds of sailors in the battle group. After an honorable discharge on August 28, 1958, Don became dedicated to his academic career.

Don graduated with honors from Indiana University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1961 and a Master of Business Administration in 1964. He was incredibly proud to be recommended by the IU faculty to the doctoral program at the University of Texas at Austin and received his PhD in Accounting in 1967.

After a brief time at Michigan State University, Don found his academic home at the fledgling Department of Accounting at the University of Kentucky, joining the faculty in 1968. He taught introductory and advanced courses to thousands of undergraduates, hundreds of master's students and chaired or served on nearly one hundred doctoral dissertation committees. Don loved the classroom, sharing his deep knowledge of cost accounting and incredible connection with young people for over thirty years.

In addition to his significant academic and business contributions, Don was extremely active in the Catholic Church in Lexington throughout his life. He also loved all sports, especially baseball and bowling. Horse racing was his favorite, and he could be found on the rail at the finish line at Keeneland on many a beautiful spring or fall afternoon with UK faculty members.

Don is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 65 years, Elaine McVay Madden. His four daughters, Kathy Barrens (Mark), Tricia Hanner (Shane), Beth Madden and Lynn Roth (Scott) will be forever grateful for his incredible example of fairness and his unconditional support. He was a wonderful grandfather to Sara, Hannah, Jack, Eric, Molly, and Katie. He is also survived by his brothers, Mike and Jim Madden.

Funeral arrangements were made through Milward Funeral Directors at 1509 Trent Boulevard in Lexington. His funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 4001 Victoria Way, at noon. Visitation will be at the Church from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Bluegrass Care Navigators.