John W. Madden Jr.

John Worthington Madden Jr., 94, passed away peacefully from natural causes on January 19, 2024 at his home in Greenwood Village, CO.

He was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska on April 12, 1929 to John Worthington Madden Sr., and Doris Pinkerton Madden.

John graduated from Benson High School in Omaha. He and Marjorie Putt Madden were married in 1950, while he attended the University of Nebraska. John then went on to co-found Pinkerton, Madden, Burford Insurance before creating the John Madden Company in the late 1960s. John Madden Company rapidly advanced to become a major commercial real estate development firm. After several successful development projects in Omaha, Iowa, and California, he relocated the company to Colorado in the 1970s, with the commercial development focus on the over 300 contiguous acres procured in Greenwood Village. The company built over 10-million square feet of office and mixed-use space in its over sixty-year history, including in Detroit, Michigan and was known for its innovative mix of art, architecture and landscaping, along with thoughtful master planning that included the Greenwood Athletic Club (Club Greenwood), the Museum of Outdoor Arts, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, and  restaurants and parks.   

He enjoyed passing his vast business acumen down the family line and worked closely on several development projects with his son, J. Madden and daughter, Cynthia Madden Leitner.

In addition to his business ventures, Mr. Madden was an avid supporter of education, the arts, and health and fitness. He co-founded the Museum of Outdoor Arts, with his wife, Marjorie P. Madden and daughter, Cynthia Madden Leitner. He and his son J. developed Club Greenwood, a premier athletic club in Greenwood Village. John also founded the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts and the Madden Museum, which houses an extensive world-class art collection. This collection was generously contributed to the University of Denver in 2016. Furthermore, he enjoyed supporting education through generous gifts to Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain, the Boy Scouts of America and many other educational institutions.  

Above all else, Mr. Madden was a devoted family man. Loyal as ever, he championed his family to succeed in all aspects of their lives and gave his relentless support.

Mr. Madden was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Putt Madden (2014), and is survived by his three children: Cynthia Madden Leitner, Scott Madden, J. Madden: grandchildren, Schuyler Madden, Blair Madden Bliss, Paul Leitner, Joseph Madden and Grace Madden: four great-grandchildren, Schuyler Madden, Lily Brown, Walter Madden, and Willow Bliss: sisters Jane Crosby and Susan Madden Lankford.  

A public memorial celebration will take place at the Museum of Outdoor Arts' Marjorie Park to be announced this spring. Visit moaonline.org/johnwmadden to read about his illustrious life and discover the enduring legacy he leaves behind through this remarkable life’s work.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Museum of Outdoor Arts’ John W. Madden Jr. memorial fund for arts education. https://moaonline.org/donate/