James Marland Maxwell

James (Jim) M. Maxwell, 92, died Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, Missouri after a near 5-year battle with cancer.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary, eight children: Howett Maxwell, Ann Badger, Leah Henderson, James Maxwell, John Maxwell, Mary Castro, Barbara Wiltermood and George Maxwell. He also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He moved his growing family to a new house in Grandview, Missouri in 1967 and lived there until moving to Foxwood Springs at the end of 2015.

Jim is a decorated Navy veteran of WWII and Korea with multiple unit citations including receiving the Purple Heart while serving as a hospital corpsman with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. In Korea he was part of the medical staff aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. He was known as ‘Doc’ among friends and co-workers. He grew up in Kansas City, attending Northeast High School before being called to service during WWII while in his senior year. He retired from the Navy in 1963 after serving his country 20 years. After the Navy he became a civil servant, working for the National Weather Service. When he retired, he had over 40 years of government service including his military service.

Jim grew up loving sports, particularly baseball, football, bowling and golf. He was a die-hard Chiefs and Royals fan. In July of 2015 he was selected as a Royals military honoree. He chased the elusive perfect 300 game in bowling by rolling (2) 299 games and (1) 298 game. He bowled and played golf until age 90, walking and carrying his clubs into his early 80’s. He was an avid square dancer attending dances weekly with the “Jacks and Queens” club. He was involved in the Boy Scouts for years as a scoutmaster. After retirement; not one to stay idol, he marshalled at a local golf course often showing up and helping when he wasn’t scheduled to work. When friends or family needed help, he was always there to lend a hand. When he wasn’t pursuing his hobbies or helping others, he could be found working out at the local community center. The last years when his health worsened and he moved to Foxwood, the first thing he wanted to know was the location of the fitness center and could be found there working out even after he was confined to a wheel chair. The last weekend before moving to hospice care he was still peddling away in his room at his mini exercise cycle.

He will be missed by all for his positive attitude, unique charm and humor, giving spirit and desire to never give up or quit a job before it was finished.

Services will be held this Saturday, January 13th at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation starts at 2:00 PM with services at 3:00 PM.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Kansas City Hospice Foundation. You can send donations to 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Ste.200, KCMO 64114 or go to KCHospice.ORG and select the donation tab or call 816-363-2600 for information. Envelopes will also be made available at the services. Please reference James Maxwell in the memo line.