Charles Leo Maxwell

Charles Leo Maxwell was born April 2, 1922 in Denoya, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully with family at his side on December 28, 2006. Charlie grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated with honors from Capitol Hill High School. He earned his Associate of Arts Degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C. while in the Coast Guard and later earned his Master's Degree in Education at the University of Arizona. He was on the Dean's List at each institution. He served this country for 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard beginning in August, 1941 and saw service in both the North Atlantic and South Pacific war theaters during WWII, and progressed through the ranks to Lieutenant when he retired in September, 1961. He earned the American Defense Service Medal with bronze star (Sea clasp), various campaign medals, the WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal denoting years of fidelity, zeal and obedience. He later became an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution, as many of his ancestors honorably served in various wars. Charlie taught Geometry and Algebra at Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where he sponsored the Math Club for years, then became the Assistant Principal. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity in education. The Maxwell family moved to Prescott in 1974 when Charlie became the Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs for the Prescott Unified School District for 10 years. He was a member of the Sun Up Rotary Club of Prescott. After his retirement in 1985, he became actively involved in the Monday/Friday Duplicate Bridge Group at the Prescott Adult Center. He volunteered and lent assistance for 5 years and then became the Director of the group from 1990 to 2005. The family held membership in the First Congregational Church in Prescott for decades and Charlie assisted the leadership of the church in financial organization and served on boards, holding various offices for many years. Charlie was actively involved in genealogy research and was a member of the Northern Arizona Genealogical Society. He published two family history books and has been very enthusiastic about his research. His latest book, an autobiography, Travels with Max, will be cherished by all who read it. He has diligently traced his family ancestry back to the mid 1400's. He loved to garden and always had beautiful landscaping. He belonged to the Prescott Area Iris Society and raised award-winning irises. He enjoyed bringing in fresh flowers, especially violets and iris, to his family and sharing vegetables, fruit and bulbs with neighbors and friends. He was known as 'Leo' to all of his relatives, 'Charlie' to his friends, and 'Max' to his Coast Guard buddies and his wife. He was a great example of integrity, strength, kindness, achievement and was a real gentleman in all he did. He will be remembered for the legacy he left behind and for the hero he'll always be to his family. He woke up every day with a song in his heart and there is no doubt he is now singing in a choir of angels. Charlie lived by the following: 'You pass this way but once, so you must strive to make this a better place than when you found it. Whatever you do, do it to the very best of your abilities, for by your deeds shall you be known.' He will be greatly missed and is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 58 years, Harriet Elizabeth (Kelly) Maxwell, his four children and their families: Melanie Maxwell and her two children, David and Crystal Duperre; Randy and Milli Maxwell and her son, Chris Bari; Jeff Maxwell and son, George and his siblings, Matt and Jill Dodd; and Betsy and Paul Gillespie and their son, Evan; Charlie's sister, Madeline Sudik; her husband Ralph; nieces and nephews: Yvette & Bill Wright, Mike & Lois Robinson, Donna & Mike Jobe, Mike & Hanna Sudik; and many other loved ones and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Leo and Ruby Iceline Maxwell and his sisters, Maxine Robinson and Rose Roberts all from Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley (1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014) or the Mayo Clinic Foundation (Attn: Development Dept., 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259). Memorial Services to honor Charlie will be Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 3:00pm at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Avenue, Prescott, Arizona. Charlie's family encourages all to sign the online guest book at www.HeritageMortuary.com located under the Obituaries tab.