What a tradegic end to a prolific life. Madeley was my hero.
I reconnected with Troy shortly before our 20th reunion and we were generally having beers semi-regularly, but he sort of dropped off the face of the planet as things beyond his control unfolded.
He battled mental illness at the end of his life, which ultimately contributed to his demise. Scott Orr said at the 30th reunion, "Its caused me to re-think my ideas about the homeless I see on the streets" That sums it up.
Troy was hit by a car and spent several days in Ben Taub hospital as a "John Doe" before his identity was discovered by fingerpinting, he had been there nearly a week in a comatose state with massive head injuries. Wayne March called me and told Troy was in a car wreck, without many details available. I went over to see him the next day thinking Troy would be sitting upright or generally recouperating. What I found a the hopital was a nearly lifeless Troy on life support. The very moment I was standing near his bed side the doctors came in to remove the life support, it was a nightmare. His family had, a few minutes prior, made the decision to do so. I was literally in the room when Madeley died. In a state of shock I walked a few doors away to see his mom and step-dad, and other family who were going thru this trauma with him in a room a few feet away. I sat there and held Ms. Madeley's hand for a few minutes, and generally caught up on what had happened to Troy over the last couple of years.
Madeley's funeral was a jammed packed affair. When his 3 kids got up to speak 2000 people cried in unison, I sat next to Bob Schmalhausen and we just cried and blubbered all over each other. Tough tough situation. But what a send off.
Troy left behind 3 great kids, all grown up now. (As you may have guessed they are all smart and great at everything they do). A lasting legacy for TDM.
A couple of times since then I have been driving down the road generally thinking about the way Troy left us. I curse and beat the steering wheel, thinking what a unfair end to a life. But when I think more about it, I guess Troy did get a lot of living into 42 short years. I hope to see him again and we can enjoy some Springsteen classics together.
Troy was a good buddy during high school and college. He was a great runner that won many first places during high school and ran marathons after high school. He was also a blue chip running back during high school before a knee injury during his senior year prevented him from playing this sport any more. At Baylor, which I attended with Troy for two years, Troy was in a fraternity, a top student in engineering, and spent a lot of time with his friends in the dorms. He always had a bright smile for everyone and was so relaxing to be close to because he was so calm and easy going. After marrying and deciding to finish his graduate studies in engineering at UT Austin, he moved to Austin where we renewed our friendship. Troy had already started a family during his graduate studies and was an outstanding student. I recall seeing one of his projects in the engineering building which consisted of a five foot long suspension bridge constructed out of popcicle sticks that looked completely real. We met several times per week for coffee before classes which I really enjoyed. After college we didn't see each other very often as he was busy with work and family and I was also busy. His family lived across the street from my parents on St. Mary's Lane for several years before moving to a larger home to accommodate his growing family. My parents really enjoyed talking with Troy and Madelaine and seeing their beautiful family while they were young.
Troy had many interests. He rebuilt a Chevy sports car with his father during high school and was skilled at hunting. He also really enjoyed music especially songs about cars such as Bruce Springsteen's song Racing in the Streets and Born to Run. He and his family also played a large role in the social fabric of their neighborhood, including sponsoring football teams, securing jobs in construction for children during college, entertaining at their beach house and too many important contributions to mention. His father once purchased a phone system I was selling during my first job and gave me some interesting advice which was that every person should value their efforts and try to perfect themselves through good work. Troy was in many was like his father in that he valued trying to perform at his best at anything at which he participated. They also shared a open, cheerful, generous, and strong personalities.
Troy was a friend, counselor, advisor, helper, example, charmer, genius, athlete; I will always miss his gentle and kind smile and strong deep laughter. He was also a Christian that read the bible, prayed, and attended religious service which was a source of spiritual uplifting to him, his family, and others. I pray that Jesus blesses Troy for all of who he was and will think of him everytime I hear Bruce on the radio or see a building being built. I am thankful for having the privilege of knowing Troy as a friend for many years and for experiencing his wonderful family. I would like to quote from the movie the Wizard of Oz when the wizard explains to the tin man what love really is all about in paraphrase: "the value of a heart is less about how much it loves others than how much it is loved by others". By this measure, Troy's heart was of the utmost value since he was loved by so many people. I will always remember Troy as a perfectionist who could do almost anything he attempted. Listening to Bruce and driving back and forth to Waco through the beautiful countryside of central Texas seems in the nostalgic glow of time to be almost like what heaven is like. He was a consummate friend and one of the most perfect human beings I have ever known. In Greetings from Asbury Park, the song "Sandy" Bruce talks about having his shirt caught on the Tilt a Whirl ride and thinking he might never get off. Sometimes life seems impossible but there is always a brighter tomorrow and I look forward to seeing my good friend Troy again in that great heavenly realm if I make it. If not, I am sure Troy will lower some contraption down to help me out.
Michael Weaver
What a tradegic end to a prolific life. Madeley was my hero.
I reconnected with Troy shortly before our 20th reunion and we were generally having beers semi-regularly, but he sort of dropped off the face of the planet as things beyond his control unfolded.
He battled mental illness at the end of his life, which ultimately contributed to his demise. Scott Orr said at the 30th reunion, "Its caused me to re-think my ideas about the homeless I see on the streets" That sums it up.
Troy was hit by a car and spent several days in Ben Taub hospital as a "John Doe" before his identity was discovered by fingerpinting, he had been there nearly a week in a comatose state with massive head injuries. Wayne March called me and told Troy was in a car wreck, without many details available. I went over to see him the next day thinking Troy would be sitting upright or generally recouperating. What I found a the hopital was a nearly lifeless Troy on life support. The very moment I was standing near his bed side the doctors came in to remove the life support, it was a nightmare. His family had, a few minutes prior, made the decision to do so. I was literally in the room when Madeley died. In a state of shock I walked a few doors away to see his mom and step-dad, and other family who were going thru this trauma with him in a room a few feet away. I sat there and held Ms. Madeley's hand for a few minutes, and generally caught up on what had happened to Troy over the last couple of years.
Madeley's funeral was a jammed packed affair. When his 3 kids got up to speak 2000 people cried in unison, I sat next to Bob Schmalhausen and we just cried and blubbered all over each other. Tough tough situation. But what a send off.
Troy left behind 3 great kids, all grown up now. (As you may have guessed they are all smart and great at everything they do). A lasting legacy for TDM.
A couple of times since then I have been driving down the road generally thinking about the way Troy left us. I curse and beat the steering wheel, thinking what a unfair end to a life. But when I think more about it, I guess Troy did get a lot of living into 42 short years. I hope to see him again and we can enjoy some Springsteen classics together.
Stephen Stinson
Troy was a good buddy during high school and college. He was a great runner that won many first places during high school and ran marathons after high school. He was also a blue chip running back during high school before a knee injury during his senior year prevented him from playing this sport any more. At Baylor, which I attended with Troy for two years, Troy was in a fraternity, a top student in engineering, and spent a lot of time with his friends in the dorms. He always had a bright smile for everyone and was so relaxing to be close to because he was so calm and easy going. After marrying and deciding to finish his graduate studies in engineering at UT Austin, he moved to Austin where we renewed our friendship. Troy had already started a family during his graduate studies and was an outstanding student. I recall seeing one of his projects in the engineering building which consisted of a five foot long suspension bridge constructed out of popcicle sticks that looked completely real. We met several times per week for coffee before classes which I really enjoyed. After college we didn't see each other very often as he was busy with work and family and I was also busy. His family lived across the street from my parents on St. Mary's Lane for several years before moving to a larger home to accommodate his growing family. My parents really enjoyed talking with Troy and Madelaine and seeing their beautiful family while they were young.
Troy had many interests. He rebuilt a Chevy sports car with his father during high school and was skilled at hunting. He also really enjoyed music especially songs about cars such as Bruce Springsteen's song Racing in the Streets and Born to Run. He and his family also played a large role in the social fabric of their neighborhood, including sponsoring football teams, securing jobs in construction for children during college, entertaining at their beach house and too many important contributions to mention. His father once purchased a phone system I was selling during my first job and gave me some interesting advice which was that every person should value their efforts and try to perfect themselves through good work. Troy was in many was like his father in that he valued trying to perform at his best at anything at which he participated. They also shared a open, cheerful, generous, and strong personalities.
Troy was a friend, counselor, advisor, helper, example, charmer, genius, athlete; I will always miss his gentle and kind smile and strong deep laughter. He was also a Christian that read the bible, prayed, and attended religious service which was a source of spiritual uplifting to him, his family, and others. I pray that Jesus blesses Troy for all of who he was and will think of him everytime I hear Bruce on the radio or see a building being built. I am thankful for having the privilege of knowing Troy as a friend for many years and for experiencing his wonderful family. I would like to quote from the movie the Wizard of Oz when the wizard explains to the tin man what love really is all about in paraphrase: "the value of a heart is less about how much it loves others than how much it is loved by others". By this measure, Troy's heart was of the utmost value since he was loved by so many people. I will always remember Troy as a perfectionist who could do almost anything he attempted. Listening to Bruce and driving back and forth to Waco through the beautiful countryside of central Texas seems in the nostalgic glow of time to be almost like what heaven is like. He was a consummate friend and one of the most perfect human beings I have ever known. In Greetings from Asbury Park, the song "Sandy" Bruce talks about having his shirt caught on the Tilt a Whirl ride and thinking he might never get off. Sometimes life seems impossible but there is always a brighter tomorrow and I look forward to seeing my good friend Troy again in that great heavenly realm if I make it. If not, I am sure Troy will lower some contraption down to help me out.