Max Lewis Paddock was born May 4,1943 in Cadillac, Michigan, to parents Chester and Gertrude Paddock. Max attended school at St. Ann's Catholic schools in Cadillac until the family moved to Muskegon, Michigan. He attended high school at Reeths Puffer High School, in Muskegon where he enjoyed sports but excelled in basketball. He played on the varsity team there throughout his high school years. Upon graduation from Reeths Puffer, he attended Muskegon Community College where he played on the varsity basketball team. He transferred to Western Michigan University and continued to play basketball there.
While traveling in Yellowstone park in the summer of 1967, he met Pam, his future wife. He returned to Yellowstone in the summer of 1968 where he worked at Lake Hotel and began courtship that ended with marriage to Pam in April, 1969.
the couple moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Max worked as a lineman for the electric department of the City of Fountain, then later transferred to the Police Department there as a patrolman. their only son, Christopher was born in 1974. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Traverse City, Michigan where Max worked a variety of seasonal jobs. while in Michigan, Max enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father, uncles and cousins. He also did construction work as the weather permitted.
The family moved to Abilene in 1976 and Max began working construction projects throughout the Big Country. this led to partnerships where he and his co-workers remodeled homes and did new household additions and later, built homes. He earned his Private Pilot license and enjoyed flying of Elmdale Airpark for a brief period of time. He ended his career in 1990 when poor health forced him to retire.
Throughout his life, Max was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to be in the outdoors and enjoyed both archery and hunting with firearms. Max was credited with several awards and recognitions for legally harvesting trophy animals.
Max loved animals, especially dogs. He owned, trained and cherished German Shorthaired Pointer Dogs for most of his life. He often rescued abandoned dogs and other animals that he came across in the woods. He was owned by a variety of family cats as well.
Max was a longtime, faithful member and Deacon of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. He is survived by Pam, his wife of over 50 years, their son Christopher Paddock and wife Misty, grandchildren, Hadley Beth and Hayden Russ Paddock. His parents, brother Michael and sister Ann, all preceded him in death. Also, a grandson, Ethan Russ Paddock preceded him in death. Max is also survived by a large family in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Memorials may be sent to the March of Dimes or Rescue the Animals, Abilene, TX
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