Max James KARTCHNER

KARTCHNER, Max James 6/13/1931 - 12/24/2016 85, life-long resident of Southern Arizona, passed away following a brief illness on December 24, 2016, at his home in Benson, Arizona. Max and his twin brother, Mark, were born on June 13, 1931 in Pomerene, Arizona to James Anderson and Lois Martineau Kartchner. Raised in St. David, Arizona, he graduated from St. David High School. He earned a degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona. After completing his first year at Cornell University Medical College in New York City, he married Dona Lee McRae in the LDS Mesa Arizona Temple on June 17, 1954. Following medical school, he pursued further training in Denver, Colorado, and in 1960, returned to practice and to run the Kartchner Clinic/Benson Hospital. In 1969, he moved to Salt Lake City for a residency in Anesthesiology. Upon completion of his residency, Max and his family returned to Benson to live. Max worked primarily at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson for 27 years. After retiring in 1996, Max and Dona served LDS medical missions in Central America and Chile. Later, he provided anesthesia for hundreds of surgeries performed by his twin, Mark, a surgeon, for the underprivileged in Bolivia and Nicaragua. Those who interacted with Max outside of his professional life knew him to be a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a cattle rancher, a great example of service and hard work, an avid reader of westerns, a loyal friend with a quirky sense of humor, and a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Max and Dona, his wife of 62 years, have eight children, Stanley Kartchner, Zane Kartchner (Suzy), Kim Kane, Jill Wilson (Tim), Dawn Rallison (Todd), Vicki Susa, Gary Kartchner (Julie), and Ben Kartchner (Jen). They also have 27 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Max is survived by his siblings, Mark Kartchner (Marion), Dean Kartchner (Joanne), Dale Kartchner (Elizabeth), Ila Tenney (Gerald, deceased), Glen Kartchner (Dixie), Rex Kartchner (Kay), Ruth Brimhall (Jerry), Paul Kartchner (Sue), Fred Kartchner (Beverly), Steve Kartchner (Salie), and Shella Kartchner. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at the LDS Stake Center, 381 North Pomerene Road, at 10:00 a.m. A Viewing will take place prior at 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Interment will follow immediately at the St. David Cemetery. Memories may be shared with the family via email to maxkmemories@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund.html. Arrangements by RICHARDSON'S REMEMBRANCE CENTER.