SMITHFIELD—Earl Linwood Madison Jr., 78, died Aug. 7, 2007.

Born in Norfolk, June 27, 1929, he was the son of the late Earl L. Madison Sr. and Ruth Johnson Madison. Mr. Madison graduated from Maury High School in 1947 and from VPI in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.

Mr. Madison was a member of Pi Delta Epsilon honor society and of the Corp of Cadets and received a commission in the Corp of Engineers.

He was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding before being called into the Army during the Korean War and served with distinction as post engineer in France.

After appointment as first lieutenant, he left the Army to return to Newport News Shipbuilding in 1954. Employed in the Atomic Power Division, he was sent to Westinghouse in Pittsburgh for training in nuclear engineering and did graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh.

Returning to Newport News Shipbuilding, he was promoted to nuclear engineer, supervisor, senior supervisor and engineering section manager. While in Newport News, he served as scoutmaster of Troop 43, and was a member of Order of the Arrow, Hampton Roads Junior Chamber of Commerce, Navy League and the Propeller Club.

He was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees including the Administrative Board and he was president of the Men’s Club. His many activities in The American Society of Mechanical Engineers lead to the acceptance of the position as director of Eastern Field Services and opened that office in Washington, D.C. in June 1975.

In 1982, he was promoted to group director for all regional activities and was relocated in New York. He retired in 1995 and moved to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He moved to Smithfield in 2004 and he became an active member in Trinity United Methodist church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Scott T. Madison.

Survivors include his most caring and loving wife of 12 years, Carol Sue Bass Madison; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Earl Madison III and his wife Julie of Centreville, Va., Stephen W. Madison and his wife Joyce of Wilmington, N.C., and David L. Madison and his wife Sheryl of Little Rock, Ark.; daughter-in-law, Tory, of Virginia Beach; and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News.

Memorial contributions can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 Cedar Street, Smithfield, VA 23430.