Frederick Paul Maxwell

Fred was the patient and protective father of five stubborn daughters, Gramps to nine, Great Gramps to two (soon to be three), brother to nine (in laws included without hesitation), uncle to too many to count, comrade to anyone brave enough to join his adventures, and to Dana, the love of her life.

Born July 18, 1947, to William and Elaine Maxwell in Omaha, Nebraska, Fred grew up in a lively home that became the first of many filled with laughter, chaos, and stories that would only get better with time. Alongside his brothers — four best friends who just happened to share a last name — and between Cub Scouts, track meets, and football games, the Maxwells crisscrossed the country collecting adventures wherever they landed. “The girls” heard the stories. Each time the hills of the toboggan runs were ten times longer, the fish caught at Black’s Cliff were one pound heavier, but the details of leading a crowded New Orleans bar in a rambunctious and somewhat accurate rendition of the Notre Dame fight song during the 1972 Sugar Bowl remained to be true - they only knew three words.

After attending the University of Illinois in the pursuit of a Master’s in Accounting and welcoming his first daughter, Tricia, Fred was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Though the war was deeply unpopular among many in his generation, Fred answered the call to serve with quiet courage and humility. A time that he frequently referred to as his greatest adventure. You saw it in his eyes and heard it in his voice when he spoke of it.

Eventually, Fred “settled” in Kansas City, where he found his stride in sales — a profession perfectly suited for a man who never met a stranger. With a golden tongue, an easy laugh, and a genuine love for people, Fred built friendships everywhere he went. During those years, he welcomed daughters Amanda and Erin and embraced the joyful chaos of raising a growing family while balancing life on the road.

While working, Fred met Dana, who would become his wife of 47 years and the great love story of his life. What began as a business acquaintance quickly turned into a deep friendship and eventually a partnership that built a beautiful, loud, imperfect, enduring family. Together they welcomed daughters Krista and Jessie, bringing the total to five, and “the girls” became the center of Fred’s world.

Mission, Kansas became home. St. Pius became the foundation of their faith and family life. The following years were filled with swim meets, CYO sports, graduations, Halloween parties, lake trips, zoo outings, golf games, Chiefs games, smooth jazz, Hawaiian shirts, ballroom boxing, hunting adventures, and Fred faithfully delivering Dana her daily 4:00 p.m. Bloody Mary – as thought the success of the entire household depended on it. And it did.

Fred was a Disneyland dad through and through. Selflessly, he told Dana that he would take the lead on disciplining the boys. The wild streak from his own childhood passed directly to his daughters, along with the one family rule: “Don’t get Dad in trouble with Mom.” They were mostly successful.

To his daughters and grandchildren, Fred was larger than life. There was always room on his shoulders, another story before bed, another trip to the zoo, another made-up phrase only he understood. His whistle was legendary at every game – from volleyball to rugby – and could always be heard above the crowd. He made the people around him feel deeply loved, endlessly entertained, and always protected. He was the best at sneaking the kids extra treats and keeping secrets.

Bedtime stories were one of Fred’s greatest talents, though to the ears of his girls, every tale began not with “once upon a time,” but “ponce a tie.” After one childhood mispronunciation, Fred never corrected it – and from then on, every story officially began “ponce a tie.” It became one of the earliest and clearest examples of Fred’s unwavering belief that his girls could do absolutely no wrong, even when accuracy was sacrificed in favor of enthusiasm. Each daughter carries memories uniquely her own: meeting his first grandson and hearing him proudly become “Gramps,” watching him play football at Gillham Park, “be-toes,” “brown mats,” and the comfort of sitting still while Dad combed wet hair until it was completely dry. As the station wagon pulled out of the drive for another adventure, the family would sing “We’re off to the animal fair…” Whether it was driving to Chicago for a family visit or just down the road to the zoo for the afternoon, every outing was a thrilling adventure because Fred always said, “every day is a holiday.”

Fred’s professional life reflected the same loyalty and generosity he gave his family. His career included Western Blueprint, HOK, the founding of American Reprographics, BioSheet, and Cowtown, before ultimately spending thirty plus years at Populous. More than a workplace, Populous became his second family — friends who stood beside him through cancer treatments, retirement, and every chapter in between. At any opportunity, he proudly announced, “this is my daughter, Amanda” to any vendor, customer, or new associate as she sat by his side for twenty-seven years, his personal IT department. Fred was okayish at email, Amanda handled the rest. The memories of Corporate Challenge are where you saw his spirit shine. He looked at the age brackets, ran the numbers and devised a plan to achieve the highest point award for his age group. Flashing that mischievous grin, he looked at his comrades and said “All I have to do is show up.” Never a cheater, but always smarter than the system. His one-hundred-yard dash was an act of sorcery as we watched his body move ever so fast yet travel ever so slowly. The mutual love and respect between Fred and his coworkers made it possible for him to continue working until his retirement earlier this year.

But Fred’s story cannot be told without expanding on his love for Dana.

He often said she saved his life, and he spent the rest of his life trying to return the favor. Together, they built a life full of laughter, resilience, affection, and unwavering commitment to their family. Through any imperfect season, they chose each other over and over again. They fought hard for their marriage, for their family, and for the example they hoped to leave their daughters: that real love is not effortless, but enduring. And theirs endured.

The girls grew up witnessing that love in all its everyday forms – parents holding hands as they meandered from the ball field to the parking lot, Dad sneaking a playful swat with a spatula while making dinner just to hear Mom say, “Oh, Fred,” and slow dances in the living room despite his complete lack of rhythm. Her love of dance never deterred him from trying, and boy did he try. Their affection was constant, easy, and joyful – the kind that turned ordinary moments into the memories their family will carry forever.

Fred loved fully, laughed loudly, danced badly, welcomed everyone, and somehow made every person feel like an old friend. He leaves behind a family held together by inside jokes, loyalty, storytelling, and love — all things he gave freely and abundantly. He never let planning get in the way of a good adventure, he always knew a guy — once flying to the Super Bowl without a ticket or hotel room, only to somehow befriend the CBS broadcast crew, land a place to stay, and ended up watching the game from the broadcast booth itself.

We imagine him now exactly where he belongs: wearing a Hawaiian shirt, Bud in hand, telling stories that are mostly fact based, making friends, probably bending the rules a little, and undoubtedly getting someone into trouble – his best friend Nani right beside him, sipping her cocktail.

Rest easy, friends. He is off to the animal fair.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson Road, Mission, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ability KC in memory of Fred Maxwell to help purchase a pediatric Functional Electrical Stimulation bike, continuing Fred’s lifelong commitment to helping others.