October 23, 1958 - May 03, 2018
Murray “Chip” Louis Madeen III Chip was a wonderful man that will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was an amazing husband, father, brother, and son. He has left a lasting impression on many lives. Chip’s story began on October 23, 1958, the only son born to Murray and Doree Madeen. He was the middle child with two older and two younger sisters that spoiled him immensely. When Chip was young he lived in the Tri-Cities, Washington, where he enjoyed playing baseball, swimming at the public pool, and golfing at Columbia Park Golf Course with his lifelong friend, Brad Mewes and his cousin, Danny Reed. At the age of 15, Chip’s family moved to Aiken, South Carolina, where Chip spent time playing golf, football and soccer, working at the Piggly Wiggly, and hanging out with his friends: John Haskell, Joey Byouk and Sam Erb. Chip graduated from Aiken High with the class of 1977. After high school, Chip moved to Butte, Montana, where he stayed with his grandparents. He spent a year attending Montana Tech and working at the Montana Standard newspaper stuffing inserts into each paper. That summer, he worked in an oil field in North Dakota which enabled him to buy the 1977 El Camino that he always wanted. In 1979, Chip moved to Salt Lake City and he met his first wife, Carolynne (Huggins). They had 4 amazing children together (Chip, Chris, Brandon and Nicole). They moved their family to South Carolina where most of them still live today. When Chip and Carolynne divorced in 1997, Chip set out to find his new place in the world. In 1998, Chip met his best friend and the love of his life, Michelle, in the Spokane Valley Walmart. This would later become the butt of many jokes! Chip and Michelle went out on their first date on July 2nd which is referred to as Pizzaversary. On July 9th after one long week of dating, they were married at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Michelle brought a daughter to their mixed family who was just 5 years old at the time (Miranda) and on July 4th of 1999, Michelle gave birth to Chip’s youngest son (Dalton). Over the years, Chip and Michelle lived in Washington, South Carolina and Colorado. Chip worked in the tire industry from the early 1980s on. Some of his employers included Big O' Tires, Perfection Tire, and Wal-Mart. In 2004, they made their final move back to where they met in Spokane Valley, and Chip took a position at Liberty Tire and Automotive where he worked until he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March 2017. Chip enjoyed staying active by running and playing basketball. He also enjoyed making people happy and he rarely had a mean word to say about anyone he knew. His heart was pure, and his intensions were good. He found real joy in knowing that he had taken care of someone, and he succeeded marvelously at this during his almost 20-year marriage to Michelle. Chip was a true example of a kind and peaceful person. On May 3, 2018, Chip left this life, but he will continue to live on in the hearts of those who love him. Chip was preceded in death by his father and hero, Murray Louis Madeen Jr and his brother-in-law, Michael McKellips. His loved ones that will miss him until they meet again are his wife, Michelle; mother, Doree; sons, Chip (Gennifer), Chris (Corinne), Brandon, and Dalton; daughters, Nicole (Michael) Przybylowicz, and Miranda Houchens; granddaughters, Hazel and Violet; grandson, Samson; sisters, Gladys (Butch) Burns, Michelle (Don) Peterson, Jenny (Chip) Jones, and Doree McKellips; and a large extended family including aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Families and friends are invited to help celebrate Chip’s life on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 11 AM. Service and celebration will be at Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center.
