Maurice Cartwright PADDEN

PADDEN, Major General Maurice Cartwright "Tim", died peacefully sur- rounded by his loving wife and daughters on February 20, 2015. Born in Wheeling, WV on February 7, 1931 to Katherine Allison Cartwright and John Richard Padden, General Padden attended Xavier University and graduated from Ohio State University in 1952. In 1953, he began his 34 year career in the United States Air Force eventually achieving the rank of Major General. He was a Master Navigator serving on B-47 and B-58 combat crews. His military career included tours in the Air Training Command, Strategic Air Command, Air University and the Military Aircraft Command. He was Deputy Base Commander at Norton AFB, CA (1974-1975) and Base Comman-der at Scott AFB, IL (1976-1978). As the first navigator in the history of the Air Force to serve as a Wing Commander of a combat flying wing, General Padden was the Wing Commander at Altus Air Force Base from 1978-1980. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1980 and assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC. General Padden pinned his second star in 1983. In 1985, he was named Vice- Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command. In Octo-ber 1986, he assumed the command of Air Force Space Command at Peter-son Air Force Base, CO. After his distinguished and extensive military career, General Padden spent 10 years as the Executive Vice-President and Treasurer of the Armed Forces Communi-cations and Electronics Association in Reston, VA. Supporting him throughout his prestigious military career and beyond was his partner, best friend, aide-de-camp, travelling companion and star of his life, Janice Elizabeth Eckstein Padden. Their 60 year marriage be-gan at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Massillon, Ohio on November 25, 1954. Together they travelled the United States and the world playing golf, entertaining friends, exploring new venues and enjoying each other and their children. General Padden is prede-ceased by his parents and by his brother, John R. Padden, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Janice and his five daughters and their spouses, Maurine Padden and her husband, Thomas Spencer, of Sacramento, CA, Linda Ackels and her husband, Joseph, of Dallas, TX, Colleen Reppert and her husband, Joseph, of Destin, FL, Timberly Padden of Dallas, TX and Col. Polly Padden (USAF ret.) and her husband, Col. Steve Elkins (USA, ret.), of Grant, AL; sister, Patricia Davis, of Painesville, OH, sister Kathleen Padden, OSU of Toledo, OH and sister-in-law, Lois Padden, of Parkersburg, WV; 8 grand-children and many nieces and nephews. A consummate officer and gentleman, a man of great integrity, compassion, humor, determination and strength and a devoted husband, father and friend, his loss leaves a deep void in all of our lives. Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Mass will be said for General Padden at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Lutz, FL on July 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to the The Ursuline Sisters, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, OH 43606.