Eastland- Funeral services for Lee R. Maxwell will be held at 2:30 PM, Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Eastland with Pastor Jim Wright officiating, assisted by David Hullum. Interment to follow at Eastland City Cemetery. Lee will be in state at the funeral home for public viewing beginning Friday during office hours of 9:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The family will have a gathering after the funeral services on Saturday at First Christian Church Annex in Eastland.
After 99 years of enriching the lives of others and service to his Lord, Lee Maxwell claimed his reward on September 24, 2024 and is resting in the arms of God. He was born February 17, 1925 at home on the family farm in Eastland County, Texas to James Harvey and Julia Ernest (Newton) Maxwell. At age 17 in 1943, he volunteered to serve his country in World War II. He joined the Navy with hopes of travel, but when his skill repairing farm equipment became known, he was assigned to the Seabees in the motor pool transporting munitions and supplies on the West Coast based in San Diego, California. He grew to love swimming in the ocean and visiting the beach. After being honorably discharged, he married Kathleen (Kitty) Randolph on March 1, 1947 and began a life dedicated to family and his church. He worked for General Electric and later opened his own business as a major home appliance serviceman. He served many years as the Sunday school superintendent at the Sunnyside Friends Church in Bonita, California. In 1967, he moved his family back to Eastland County, built his home at Lake Leon, and eventually Maxwell Appliance Service grew his reputation as a respected businessman in the area. He joined and actively served the Eastland First Christian Church. After Kitty passed in 1982, he sold his business, traveled in his RV, and volunteered. He married Dorothy Chandler Wright in 1985. Together, they traveled months at a time, and he visited all 50 States, Canada, and Mexico. After Dot’s passing in 2006, he dedicated more time to delivering Meals on Wheels, jail ministry, and supporting his dear friend, Maybelle Trout, in the Senior Food Pantry. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; a faithful friend; and a humble servant of God always seeking Christ’s likeness in his life. He left this world better than he found it.
Lee is survived by his two daughters, Kathleen “Kathy” Kincheloe and Vivian Lee Sayre and husband, Frank; four grandchildren, Jim Eberly, Arthur Lee Sayre, Julia Marie Sayre and Eric Kincheloe and wife, Caroline; one great granddaughter, Kennedy Kincheloe; one bonus daughter, Dr. Paddy Wiesenfeld and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Julia Maxwell; wife, Kathleen (Kitty) Maxwell, wife, Dorothy Maxwell; son and daughter-in-law, David and Sandy Eberly; seven brothers, J.M. Maxwell and wife, Wanda, Elzie Maxwell and wife, Dorothy, Bert Maxwell and wife Sibyl, Calvin Maxwell and wife, Christine. Harrell Maxwell and wife, Pat, Glenn Maxwell and wife Norma and Aubrie Maxwell and wife, Murl; three sisters, Faye Bond and husband, L.D., Inez Devenport and husband, A.L. and Grace Lynn Maxwell.
Pallbearers are James Reger, Roy Kincheloe, Don Porter and Kobe Fornes.
The family is deeply grateful for the care and comfort in his last years provided by Guadalupe, Kamelia, Shonda and his long-term aide, Jay Reger, who became a special friend and who, like Lee, has given so much of himself in service of others. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Meals on Wheels in your community.
