Gordon Earl Maxwell, M.D.

Gordon Earl Maxwell, M.D died March 10, 2024 at the age of 94 at his long-time home in Salina, KS. He was born November 30, 1929 near Quinter, KS and was preceded in death by his daughter Mary Evelyn Snitow; parents George Earl and Mary (Hargitt) Maxwell; sisters Eva Loree Holaday and Mary Louise Sorenson; brothers Howard Laverne Maxwell and Leonard Chester Maxwell; sister-in-law Karen Maxwell; brothers-in-law Raymond Holaday, Rexford Sorenson, Richard Hadland and Carroll Wilkerson; nephew Larry Maxwell; and his wife’s parents, Harry and Florence Westhoff.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and their remaining children and spouses: Gregory (Cheryl), Cynthia (Paul Curtin), Stephanie (Paul Zaffuts), son-in-law Martin Snitow; and four grandchildren: Julian Jacob Snitow, Melinda Elaine Snitow (Kobey Shwayder), Alexandra Mae Zaffuts and Jessica Ann Zaffuts. He also is survived by sisters Anita Bray and Luella Hadland; sisters-in-law Marlene Maxwell, Roseann Maxwell and Vivian Wilkerson; brother-in law William Bray; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Gordon attended Fort Hays State College in 1948 and then transferred to the University of Kansas. From KU he received his BS in 1952 and his MD in 1955. Gordon and Evelyn met at KU and were married in its Chapel in May 1952.

Gordon completed his internship at Milwaukee (WI) County General Hospital. He then was commissioned for three years to the U.S. Public Health Service and assigned to an Indian Health Service hospital in Mescalero, NM. He then completed his OB-GYN residency at Confederate Memorial Hospital (now LSU Health Sciences Center) in Shreveport, LA. In 1961, the family moved to Salina, where he began a practice at The Salina Clinic.

In 1964, Gordon and Evelyn accepted an assignment to be medical missionaries in India. They trained briefly in New York for their post but returned to Salina due to family health and the difficulties of undergoing an assignment with four young children. In Salina, Gordon continued to grow a long and respected medical practice, eventually retiring in 1998.

Gordon’s professional and civic activities included serving as head of The Salina Clinic; president of the medical staff at St. John’s Hospital and Asbury Hospital (now Salina Regional Health Center); member and president of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts; instructor at the Wichita branch of KU School of Medicine; member and president of the Kansas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees; recipient of Kansas Wesleyan’s Distinguished Service Award; active member of numerous professional organizations; charter member of the Land Institute; early supporter of the Rolling Hills Wildlife Refuge; member of the Evangelical Covenant Church and then the University United Methodist Church; and supporter of the Vellore Christian Medical College in India and of Kansas Wesleyan.

Gordon was an expert bicyclist and often was seen riding rather than driving to the clinic and hospitals. In 2011, he won five gold medals at the Kansas Senior Olympics in the 80-84 year-old age bracket and then competed in the National Senior Olympics in Florida. He admitted that in his age bracket, he had little competition. Gordon also loved animals and the farm life. He always enjoyed his family horses, dogs and cats; visits to his children’s and siblings’ farms; and his volunteering with animals at Rolling Hills. Gordon was an avid water-skier, and one of his favorite pastimes was camping and skiing with his family, friends and relatives at Lake Wilson.

A funeral service for Gordon was held Friday, March 15, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, KS 66061. Following the funeral service there was a committal service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 9501 159th St., Overland Park, KS 66221.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Mary Hargitt Maxwell Endowed Scholarship Fund (Kansas Wesleyan University) or any organization of your choice.