JAMES MICHAEL MAXWELL, born February 16, 1942 in Houston, Texas died August 10, 2011 at 9:40p.m. at the DeBakey VA Hospital after a valiant battle against recurring lung cancer caused by Agent Orange. Having beaten lung cancer in the right lung 3 years ago, he battled strong to win against the recurrence in his left lung. He was a strong, moral, sweet man who was loved by many. He was proud to be a native Houstonian. He graduated from Bellaire High School in 1960 and went on The University of Houston. He served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969 in the 2/47 9th Infantry Division. He was a combat medic in Viet Nam from 1966 to 1967, having served with honor and bravery. He was awarded: The Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal (1st Award), and Sharpshooter Badge. After his service in the military, Mike worked as an administrator and an officer in the insurance industry, working at Great Southern Life Insurance Company, SCI, and Mission Life Insurance. In the last years of his life he worked tirelessly for the benefit of his grandson, volunteering his time, talent, intelligence, and humor at The Westview School for autistic children in Houston. He and his wife were known as “Mr. Mike” and “Mrs. Kay” by the children. He was loved and respected by parents, teachers, and children. He was always, ready with a story, a joke, snappy comebacks and famous for his Excel spreadsheets. He loved history and adored snuggling with his Grandson, telling “war” stories and discussing history. He was a font of knowledge and no one dared play trivia games with him because he always knew the answer. He was our “go to guy” for answers to questions large and small, and we will miss him answering our questions and giving the history of the answers. We would like to thank the doctors who helped take care of Mike, particularly Dr. Rogg, Dr. O’Leary and Dr. Fada, and the nurses and care giving staff who helped us in the hospital. We acknowledge the DeBakey VA Medical Center for the giving care of “our veteran” and all other veterans. He lived his life for the loves of his life, his wife of 45 yeas Kay Jones Maxwell, his son Clifton Rollin Maxwell, his daughter Marilyn Michele Maxwell and his adored grandson Christopher Michael Maxwell. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, grandson, his mother, Jean Peebles Maxwell, his sister Ann Looney and husband Gary, Brothers-in-law Gary Jones and wife Diane, Cary Jones and wife Patsy, Sister-in-law Jeanne Jones Jacobus and husband Chuck, and many loved aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews. Service: Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77025 Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m., August 19th, at Forest Park Westheimer, 12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas, 77077. Internment at Forest Park Westheimer. Reception following in Forest Park Westheimer.
In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made to the JAMES MICHAEL MAXWELL MEMORIAL FUND, at Tradition Bank, P O Box 40, Bellaire, Texas 77402. This fund is for the benefit of his grandson—Mike is still taking care of him. Or, a gift may be made to The Gateway Academy (www.thegatewayacademy.org), 3721 Dacoma Street, Houston, Texas 77092, or The Westview School (http://www.westviewschool.org), 1900 Kersten Drive, Houston, Texas, 77043, schools who teach children with differences, so his Grandson and other children can soar.
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