Ken, “Kenzo” Maderazo 72, of Boise, Idaho passed away peacefully at his home after an 11 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ken was born on February 26,1951, to Bibiana and Theodora Maderazo in San Diego California. He was married to Pam Nickeson May 1,1971 and then later married to Cheryl Freelen-Wilson on October 24, 1999.
Ken graduated from James Madison High School in San Diego in 1969 then in March of 1971 joined the U.S. Air Force receiving an honorable discharge of his duties in 1975. During his service he was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California as part of the medical team receiving an average of 1,000 patients a month during the Viet Nam War. It was noted in his file that he was extremely versatile, adaptable, and meticulously accurate with a high degree of personal integrity. Qualities that were well-known by family and friends throughout the remainder of his life.
He joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters on June 13,1977 where he learned to work with his tools on commercial and residential properties. He was a member of Carpenters Union #180 where he served as a Business Agent, then Financial Secretary, working to improve the working conditions and training for the many men and women in the carpenter trade. He led the Finance Committee and served as a Trustee on the Health and Welfare Benefits Committee, again always working for the rights of others. He was known for solving problems, negotiating contracts and always putting his hand out to lift up others.
In addition to his work, he always found the time for his family, and friends, traveling to Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest, Prague, Germany and various places in the United States. His hobbies included photography and golfing. His retirement decisions including moving to Idaho for his love of fishing and hunting, but he honestly returned to California to fish and hunt with his longtime friends because of their lasting camaraderie.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his children Helen Maderazo and Joey Maderazo, his Mother, Teddy, his six siblings, Mike Maderazo, Tina Bankston, Sonia Cook, Arlene Brown, Jennifer Linares, and Robert Maderazo, his step children, Angela Geddis, Jill Freelen, Captain George T. Freelen III, his step granddaughters Rachel, and Faith, 6 nephews, and 4 nieces, and 10 great nephews and nieces.
We, as a large and loud family, cherish our memories of him and know that he is now with other beloved family members in God’s Kingdom.