R. "Maxey" Maxey Pinson

Maxey Pinson passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 in Edmond, OK. He was born on May 21, 1925 in Hale Center, TX, the second son of Roger and Jo Bailey Pinson. He grew up as a typical West Texas depression-era boy, working in the family drugstore, attending school and church, and playing sports. He and his older brother James spent many hours inventing, writing a neighborhood newspaper, and being typical mischievous brothers. After graduation from Plainview High School, Maxey headed to Texas Tech University in Lubbock to pursue his love of math and science as well as football. While his football career ended early, he discovered the field of geology and geophysics that propelled him to his lifelong career in the oil and gas business as a geophysicist and exploration manager, first for Texaco and then for Union Oil Company of California. In his travels as a geophysicist he worked in Bowie, TX where he met and married Mary E. Latham on December 27, 1952. As was typical in the oil industry at that time, they were immediately transferred to Ft. Worth, TX and then a few months later to Midland, TX where he worked until being transferred to Oklahoma City in 1967. Maxey retired from Union Oil in 1989 and immediately begin his second career, pursuing his passion for sports and rodeo photography. He travelled all over the United States attending rodeos, Native American events, and sporting events while photographing, socializing, and making friends wherever he went. He was actively involved in several camera clubs, International Professional Rodeo Association, Oklahoma Wildlife Federation, Exploration Managers Group, Society for Exploration Geophysicists, The Alliance, The Registry, and The Group. Maxey served in the Army from 1948-1950 at Ft. Belvoir, VA. He was also very involved in his church, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oklahoma City, and served diligently on several committees. Maxey never met a stranger, knew someone wherever he travelled, and always had a great story to tell. His phenomenal memory never ceased to amaze friends and family. He could tell you about any Texas Tech football player that ever played, details about landowners and drilling wells, and every cowboy he ever photographed. He was a man of principle, intellect, wide interests, and one who enjoyed life to its fullest.

Maxey was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on December 9, 1984 and his son-in-law Tony Willis. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Susan Pinson of Edmond; daughter Kay Willis of Chickasha, OK; and daughter Carol Pinson of Addison, TX; along with grandchildren, Zach Pinson and fiancée Chi of Hanoi, Vietnam; Zane Pinson and Kristine Pinson of Oklahoma City; Sam Pinson of Edmond; and Cody Willis of Chickasha. He is also survived by his brother James Pinson of Lubbock, TX and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends throughout the United States.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Hahn-Cook Street & Draper in Oklahoma City with internment to follow at 4 PM in Elmwood Cemetery, Bowie, TX.

Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Tech University, General Scholarship Fund, Lubbock, TX.