Ray W. Maxwell

Ray W. Maxwell, 96, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada. He was born on Sept. 26, 1916, in Nevada, to Thomas Jacob Maxwell and Eva Wealand Maxwell. He married Theda Bara Gardner on Dec. 17, 1942, in Nevada, and she preceded him in death on April 15, 1995.

Ray was born and raised in Nevada. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1934. Ray signed up for the Army Air Corps the day after Pearl Harbor and became a flight engineer-gunner on a B-24 and flew 55 missions over Japanese territory. Tom Maxwell, Ray's father ran a mill north of Nevada and started the grocery business by putting a "wheel barrow" full of groceries in the corner. That grew into the family business of two super markets, a frozen food locker plant, and a custom slaughter house. Ray ran the meat department in the highway market until the family retired from the business. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Nevada. Ray will be remembered as a wonderful father and husband who encouraged his son in many technical endeavors.

Survivors include one son, Ray Forrest Maxwell and his wife, Kay, Delta, BC, Canada; and one nephew, Ted Kachel and his wife, Nancy, Tulsa, Okla. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; five brothers, Forrest, Orville, Frank, Leon, and Cecil; and two sisters, Vivian and Frances. Ray was the last of his generation of the Maxwell family.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Ted Kachel officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call from now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com