Mr. Kelley Joe Maxwell

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home on September 15th at 12:30pm. The service will be limited to family only to comply with facility restrictions due to COVID-19. Kelley will be inurned at the DFW National Cemetery.

He was born October 15, 1928, in Brownsboro, Texas, to Thelma and Joe Maxwell. He grew up in this small country town with his Aunt Lee and Uncle Gordon Bright learning the trades of farming, then graduating from Brownsboro High School with his class of 26 people. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University with a major in history and a minor in physical education. He served 4 years in the US Navy, serving during the Korean War, spending the majority of his time on a ship in the Pacific Ocean as a communicator (teleman) and decrypter.

Kelley met his wife, Vivian, at church in California. It was love at first sight when he saw her singing in the choir from his seat in the congregation. They married in California on October 18, 1953, after which Kelley brought her home to Texas to build their future.

In 1958, Kelley began his career working as an Air Traffic Controller for the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), later renamed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After retiring, he began a short second career as a fur trader….yes, a fur trader.

Kelley loved hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He taught his children to respect nature and only take what you would eat, which may have been deer, fish, hog, frog legs, rabbit, crab, crawfish or any number of animals. There were always family camping trips and vacations full of fun.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Vivian Hunt Maxwell; their 4 children and spouses, Deborah and Kevin Walker, Wayne and Tiffany Maxwell, Jamie and Cindy Maxwell, Lora and Tim Clancy; grandchildren Peyton Swilley, Hunter Swilley, Tyler Swilley, Matthew Maxwell, Caleb Maxwell, Misty McIntire, Shauna Barnes, Kristen Clancy, Whitney Clancy, and Preslie Clancy Martin; and his 10 great grandchildren (plus 2 on the way).