Maddox had uplifting personality, loved helping people
Gilmer firefighter/EMT Eric Maddox’s nickname, “Tigger,” reflected his happy, zany personality, which was not unlike the spirited, bouncing “Winnie the Pooh” character.
“He was probably the happiest person I have ever met,” said Gilmer County Deputy Fire Chief Mark Chastain. “I could write you a book of Eric Maddox stories. There was never a dull minute, and as long as he was around, you did not have permission to be sad or down in the dumps. He would always do something or tell you something to make you laugh.”
Maddox, 51, passed away suddenly Monday, Aug. 7.
Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman said Maddox suffered a sudden medical event at his home. Several of his paramedic colleagues responded to the 911 call, administering life support and resuscitation measures until arriving at the Piedmont ER, but a cardiac response could not be regained, Kauffman noted.
Maddox had been with the fire department for 10 years and had recently started his own shuttle service, AE Chariot Services.
Chastain said, no matter what type of work Maddox was doing, he absolutely did not quit.
“He was one of the hardest working people you would ever meet,” Chastain added. “He was big on the Firefighter’s Kids Christmas stuff (that we do) and anything that involved helping people. He loved his family, and he loved his motorcycles. He loved to hunt and fish. You just couldn’t ask for a better person.”
Larry Callahan, East Ellijay Police Chief, remembered working emergency scenes alongside Maddox, whose brother, Shane Bowman, is deputy police chief for East Ellijay.
“He was a good guy and one of those people who, from the PD side, we could always depend on. If you ever got out there and got in a jam, he was going to help you no matter what uniform he had on,” said Callahan.
Brian Shedd, who runs a local tree service and is commander for the local Sons of the American Legion group, said he and Maddox first bonded while in high school, and they remained best friends ever since. He will miss having that buddy who always made him laugh.
“We hunted together and fished together. Our families vacationed together. We’d been riding motorcycles together 20 years or better. We shared the same interests all the way through,” said Shedd. “He was one upstanding dude. He was always smiling, even in the worst of times.” Shedd remembered how Maddox got the nickname “Tigger” during his time as a student in local instructor Ben Kiker’s martial arts classes.
“He would bounce around like Tigger. He couldn’t be still. We gave him that nickname because he was light on his feet and always moving,” said Shedd.
Fond remembrances of Maddox began filling various Facebook pages Monday afternoon. Some recounted high school memories, like Maddox being Class of ’91 president, while others fondly remembered his musical talent and love of the great outdoors.
It was obvious he’d made a positive impact on many in the community where he grew up, both as a first responder and a friend.
“He was an outstanding firefighter, a beloved father, grandfather and a friend to everyone he met. He brought smiles and laughter to every shift he worked with our department,” said Gilmer Fire and Rescue in an official statement.