James R. Madara

James R. Madara, 97, Of Salisbury Township, Allentown, Pennsylvania, passed away at home on March 14, 2026.  He was the husband of Susann D. (DeMartyn) Madara.  They would have been married 43 years on May 20^th.

James was born in Hanover, PA, on December 8, 1928, son of the late Russell P. And Kathryn E. (Shorb) Madara.

James went to Middletown High School in Middletown, PA, at the top of his class.  He was a state champion in track.

James graduated from Lafayette College with a BS in Civil Engineering in the Class of 1950.  He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  Jim ran track and was the Captain of Lafayette’s track team. He ran the fastest 2-mile in the northeast and had the privilege of running in the Madison Square Garden.

Jim went straight to work as a Civil Engineer for Gannett Fleming, Inc. in Harrisburg until his retirement in 1993.  He was a stockholder and a member of the Board of Directors.  He opened offices in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Los Angeles, while working in Business Development.  After his retirement, Gannett Fleming retained James as an Engineering Consultant.  He represented Gannett Fleming in several road and bridge organizations and construction companies. A major focus for James was with American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) which lobbied for gas tax monies to improve highways and bridges across the United States.  Jim was Chairman of ARTBA in 1993 and was awarded the ARTBA Hall of Fame as an Industry Leader in 2012. Jim had the privilege of saying grace at each Chairman’s dinner. His last official phone meeting was on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

James served in the US Army during the Korean War.  During his tour, he was one of several Civil Engineers to survey the Philippine Islands.

James was a member of The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Emmaus, PA.  He served in several capacities including organizing adult Sunday School Classes, working on the building committee, ushering, acting as a communion assistant, and assisting in the children’s Sunday School classes.  He scheduled the Ushering Team until COVID.

James is survived by his wife, Susann, son, Christopher James Madara, (Shannon), daughters, Debra Klunk, Sheryl Watson (Steve), Patricia Taylor, son, Raymond James Madara; sister, Nancy Lou Swartz; 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.