Francis "Frank" Herbert Madigan

HENDERSON- Francis Herbert “Frank” Madigan, 95, passed away peacefully on November 2, at his home.

Frank was born on September 25, 1930, in San Diego, CA. He was the second son of James Joseph Madigan and Dorothy Rebecca Higdon Madigan. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Barbara Jean Moore Madigan, eldest brother, Captain James A. Madigan, USN and wife Geraldine, younger brother Thomas J. Madigan, brother -in law Thomas C. Moore, Jr. and wife Wayne, sister in-law Katherine Moore and nieces Ashley Mogilniki and Debbie Madigan Goode.

As a youth, having a father that was career navy, Frank lived in numerous places. At the age of six, he witnessed the airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built, burst into flames after touching its mooring mast at Naval Air Engineering Station (NAES) in Lakehurst, NJ on May 6, 1937. At the age of 11, he and his family were living at the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. At 8 a.m. Sunday morning December 7,1941 while preparing to acolyte for the early mass, he witnessed the surprise attack of hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descending on the base destroying 20 naval vessels and eight battleships.

Frank graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Physical Education from East Carolina Teacher’s College - ECTC (now East Carolina University). He earned a master’s degree in physical education and completed the course work for a Ph.D. in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was the starting center, long snapper and a defensive linebacker for the East Carolina Pirates football team for four years. Additionally, he ran the 100 yd.,400 yd. and the 4 x 400 yd. relay for the track team.

During his college years, Frank received numerous awards including the John B. Christenbury award for athlete with the highest GPA. His senior year he was named in the Who’s Who Among American College Students as the athlete with the highest GPA.

Frank met the love of his life and soulmate at East Carolina, Barbara Jean Moore. On August 16,1954 they married. They joyously celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2020.

Following a whirlwind honeymoon, Frank shipped out to serve two years in the US Air Force with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was stationed at Misawa Air Base located in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture on Honshu Island, Japan. His military specialties included Squadron Adjutant, Base Salvage Officer and Base Passive Defense Officer. His most notable role was as the head football coach of the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) All-Star football team. Lt. Madigan was selected as Head Coach for having led the Misawa Air Base football team to eleven straight victories with no defeats in regular season play to win the Japan Air Force Conference Championship. He had only 17 days to select and mold a FEAF All-Star team from the best players in the twelve teams represented in the Conference. Lt. Madigan’s FEAF team first defeated the All-Star Team of the Naval Forces Far East in the Sukiyaki Bowl by a 21-0 victory and then went on to win the Football Championship of the Far East Command in an overwhelming defeat of the All-Star team of the Army Forces, Far East in the Rice Bowl by a score of 33-14. In 1955 he received the Coach of the Year Award, Far East Air Force and in 1956 he received the Award of the Accommodation Ribbon for meritorious achievement and leadership. In 1956 he left active-duty service and returned to the states but continued to serve in the AF Reserves until honorably discharged in 1966.

Frank began his civilian career with Barbara in Raleigh, NC as a teacher and football coach at Raleigh HS. They began their family with the birth of their son, David. Soon after, Frank was recruited by his former East Carolina coach, Jack Boone, to be the Head Defensive football coach at East Carolina College and they moved to Greenville, NC. While there their daughter Tracy and son Paul were born.

In 1961, Frank took the positions of Athletic Director, Director of Health & Physical Education, Intramural Director and Assistant Football Coach at Frederick College in Tidewater, VA. In 1963, he was named Head Football Coach after the sudden death of his mentor, friend and Head Football Coach, William “Bill” McDonald. The college yearbook, The Driftwood was dedicated to Frank that year “on the basis of his contributions to individuals, student activities, and, most important, in promoting school spirit”. He received the Mid-Atlantic Small College Coach of the Year and Outstanding Faculty awards while at Frederick College. He was also well known on campus for his art and design work. He left coaching in 1966 and became the Dean of Men and in 1968 became the Dean of Students at Frederick College.

Frank also served as the Director of the Portsmouth Youth Corps., President of the Portsmouth Rotary Club, Chairman of the Portsmouth American Red Cross and Chairman of the Portsmouth United Way. He was listed in the National Chamber of Commerce 1966 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America.

In 1969, Frank became the Dean of Vance County Technical Institute (which became Vance-Granville Community College) and he and the family moved to Henderson, NC. He was an integral part of the growth of VGCC, from its’ initial location on Chestnut St. to the campuses in Henderson, Creedmoor, Louisburg and Warrenton. He served as Dean of the College and as it grew, Dean of Students until his retirement in 1995. He received numerous awards and commendations during his tenure with VGCC, but the one he treasured most was the Student Government Association Appreciation Award. He was dedicated to the welfare and success of each student. He served as president of the NC Deans Association for three terms.

In Henderson, Frank served as the Chairman of the Vance County American Red Cross (ARC) and became a Certified Disaster Specialist serving as the VC ARC Disaster Director for many years. He served as the VC United Way Publicity Chairman, Cerebral Palsy Campaign Director, President of the Henderson Rotary Club, President of the Henderson Swim Association and was active in recreational and city-wide sports programs including refereeing 1-A high school football for the North Central NC region. In addition to enjoying playing bridge, he and his wife were avid tennis players and won the Henderson Country Club mixed doubles championship twice.

A quiet man of faith, Frank was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents for 55 years. He served on the Vestry and as Sr, Warden, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

He was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great- grandfather. A talented woodsmith and artist, his family and friends have been gifted with his paintings and woodcrafts.

Regardless of how many responsibilities Frank chose to accept, he placed family above them all. He was devoted to his wife, three children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren nieces and nephews.

Frank is survived by his children, David F. Madigan and wife Trisha of Cardinal, Va.; Tracy S. Madigan of Henderson, NC; Paul J. Madigan and wife Emilie of Murfreesboro, TN. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Ali Madigan Boland and husband Zach of Mooresville,

NC; Kendall Madigan of Charlotte, NC; Michael Madigan and wife Jenny of Charlotte, NC; Chloe Madigan of Nashville, TN; Natalie Madigan Sawyer and husband Austin of Nashville, TN; Sophia Madigan of Waynesboro, VA; Elizabeth Madigan and Isabella Madigan of

Cardinal, Va.; five great-grandchildren: Chase Boland, Briggs Boland, Sutton Madigan, Elsie Madigan and Mary Allen Claire Madigan; two sisters-in-law: Pamela Madigan Hopper and husband Alvis; Jean Shoepe; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A joint Celebration of Life will be held for Barabara and Frank on Friday November 14 th at 2 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents, 210 S. Chestnut St. Henderson, NC followed by the inurnment of ashes in the Memorial Garden Columbarium behind the church. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Henderson Country Club, 300 Country Club Dr. Henderson, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents or the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund.