With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Ernest Leonard "Rusty" Madison, who departed this life on November 24, 2023, at the age of 69. Born on August 6th, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, Rusty was the beloved son of Farrell Eugene and Thelma Lucille Madison of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Rusty spent his formative years in Oklahoma alongside his sister Ruby and his brothers James "Jimmy," Alvin, and Rodney "Rocky." He completed the 10th grade at Ripley High School in 1969 before embarking on a journey of service to his country. Rusty proudly served in the United States Army Reserve, later enlisting in the United States Army on November 5th, 1975. His enlistment led him to Ft. Knox, KY, and later to Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

Before his military service, Rusty worked diligently at the Champlin Service Station as a service attendant and as a caretaker at Fairlawn Cemetery, both in Stillwater, OK. It was during his time stationed at Ft. Sill that he met his wife, Linda Lucille Schelby. They exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony at Bennett Memorial Chapel on the Oklahoma State University campus on February 14th, 1976.

Tragically, Rusty's life took a challenging turn when he was involved in a severe automobile accident while stationed overseas in Germany on January 27th, 1978. Although he bravely fought to recover, Rusty remained wheelchair-bound for the rest of his days, suffering a traumatic brain injury that would leave him paralyzed from the waist down, as well as mentally incompetent. Rusty was officially medically retired from the Army on March 27, 1978, at the age of 23.

Despite the hardships he faced, Rusty found joy in fatherhood with the birth of his daughter, Jennifer Grace, in 1979. Though his marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 1988, he continued to speak fondly of his ex-wife well into his senior years.  A testament to his unique ability to see only the good in those around him, even when they didn't deserve it.  Due to his cognitive state, Rusty was under a conservatorship for nearly 47 years, having many guardians over the span of that time.  The family wishes to thank those individuals for their service to Rusty, most notably Mr. Phillip C. Corley for his remarkable care of Rusty during his appointment as conservator until 1999.  The family also wishes to thank and appreciate several of Rusty's former caregivers, namely, Peggy, the compassionate staff at Grace Living Center in Stillwater, OK, 2017-2018, and Anna, Lisa, and Brittany for the exceptional care they provided to Rusty in his home 2018-2022.

Rusty was preceded in death by his grandparents, both parents, and ex-wife. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Bloomfield and her husband Justin of Shawnee, OK, their children Jessica Madison, Schelby Madison, and Ashley Bloomfield, all of Norman, OK, Kylea Howard, Nicolle Bloomfield, Gracie Bloomfield, and Alex Bloomfield, all of Shawnee, OK, as well as his great-grandchildren Aiden Gates of Norman, OK and Alaric Howard of Shawnee, OK. Rusty was also survived by his siblings, all of Stillwater, OK, though his sister Ruby passed shortly after him on February 8th, 2024, and by several nieces, and nephews.