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Major Craig Madsen, corps officer at Amador Valley Christian Fellowship in Pleasanton, Calif., has been called Home by his Lord. Though the cause of death is not officially known, he had been treated in the past for epilepsy.
Seven hundred family and friends gathered at the Celebration Christian Center in Livermore to celebrate his life and remember his ministry. Lt. Colonel Olin Hogan led the service, with assistance from Colonel Donald Sather, Lt. Colonel Charles Strickland, and Scott Lycan.
He was honored in tributes by his brother Doug, his daughter Danielle, and his life-long friend Bob Slous. Major Gordon Helms remembered him on behalf of soldiers and officers and Scott Lycan spoke on behalf of the members of the Amador Valley Christian Fellowship. All remembered Craig’s love for life, his remarkable sense of humor, his unpredictability, and his devotion to God.
Anne Pickup, his cousin, sang “Consecration Hymn,” and the Concord Band played “I’d rather have Jesus” and “Hymn Song of Philip Bliss.”
Hogan spoke from a text Craig once said he would like as his epitaph, “David served the purposes of God in his own generation and then went to sleep” (Acts 13:36).
“I’m deeply saddened by the untimely promotion to Glory of Major Craig Madsen,” said Strickland to New Frontier. “God has called to himself an excellent student of the Word who joyfully and skillfully shared the truths of the Bible from the pulpit and in his daily living.
“I will long remember his laughter, humor, love of the Scriptures and his enthusiastic manner of sharing the Good News with others. While I grieve at this great loss, I rejoice in knowing Craig has joined countless others in taking his place around the throne of God.”
Craig was born in 1949 to Bonnie and Harold Madsen, one of three brothers. He was an active soldier at the Oakland Citadel Corps, where he met his future wife, Audrey Baker.
After high school he attended U.C. Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. After being commissioned from the School for Officers’ Training in 1976, they opened the corps in Sunnyvale, Calif. Along with several corps appointments they were assigned to the SFOT.
Eventually he earned a Master of Arts in Theology and Marriage and Family Counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Baptist Seminary in Portland, Ore.
They were assigned to Pleasanton in 1991, beginning work in their home that resulted in the Amador Valley Christian Fellowship.
Craig is survived by his wife, Audrey, daughter Danielle Madsen McCallum, mother Bonnie Madsen, brothers Major Glen Madsen and Doug Madsen, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Major Audrey Madsen at 480 Tioga Ct., Pleasanton CA 94656-8705.