Karl Demetrius Madison was born to Earline Madison and Arthur Hart on May 21, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. Karl passed away peacefully in Springfield, Illinois on October 24, 2026 after a courageous fight against cancer.

Karl was one of six siblings; Alan, Garrick, Earl, Karl, Lester, and Juanita. Growing up in Chicago, Karl was a lifelong White Sox fan and spent his days playing basketball outside with his brothers and friends. Some know him as “Sky King,” the neighborhood’s playground legend.

When Karl was 15, he was asked to attend Luther North High School and start for their basketball team. Karl then convinced his siblings and friends to join him. They took the nearly hour-long train ride to and from school every day. Together, they shaped the Chicago high school basketball scene amid the country’s civil rights movement. Karl went on to play basketball at Wright junior college and South Carolina State University.

Karl met Myrna (Phelps) in Chicago and the two forever-valentines married on February 14, 1976 before moving to Springfield, Illinois. Karl and Myrna worked together at Horace Mann for several years. They welcomed their only child, Karl Arthur Augustus Madison to the world on September 9, 1991. Karl loved sharing the gift of basketball and baseball with his son.

Karl was a friend, confidant, and steady support to many people in Springfield. As a friend of Bill’s, Karl was a friend to all. Karl spent his days tending to his grass, usually painting something, attending his son’s basketball games, talking to his sister Juanita, taking pictures of his grandson Kash, and staying dressed sharp.

Karl Demetrius Madison is preceded in death by his mother, Earline; his father, Arthur; his brothers; Garret, Allen, and Earl, and his wife, Myrna. Karl is survived in death by his son, Karl Madison;  daughter-in-law, Lindsey (Pallas) Madison; grandson, Kash Madison; his sister, Juanita (Madison) Jones; his brother, Lester Madison; nephews, Dameon, Lester (Terry) and Brian Madison; nieces, Tara and Pamela Madison and several cousins.

Karl will be deeply missed by his family and his community.

A memorial gathering will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. with eulogies at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Easy Does It, 514 N. Walnut Street, Springfield, IL. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Amari Belongs.