Doug Maxwell

James Douglas "Doug" Maxwell passed away on July 29, 2025, after an 11-year journey with early onset Alzheimer's. Doug was born in Dallas on June 16, 1958, to James Thornton Maxwell and Lillie Lucretia "Lou" Cathey Maxwell. He was the second of four children.

Doug was a graduate of Hillcrest High School (1976) and Texas Christian University (1980) where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He trusted Jesus as his savior through the ministry of Young Life while in high school and his faith grew in college at TCU through his involvement in Young Life and Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU). Doug especially loved the books of Proverbs and James in the Bible. Reading Proverbs with his boys on the way to school each morning demonstrated his love for God's word and grew the boys' faith. Music was Doug's joy. His favorite was country music because of its storytelling, but all genres of music marked Doug's life. Doug performed in his high school musicals and chorus and was known for his ability on the dance floor. Doug was a gifted relationship builder in both life and business. He loved building new relationships and maintaining old ones in all of his walks of life.

Professionally Doug worked alongside his father at Central Systems Inc., where they pioneered computer systems designed specifically for Texas public school districts. The business later migrated to the auto insurance industry where Doug was operationally responsible for a large team across 8 states as Santa Fe Auto Insurance + Insurance Depot. The companies employed many friends, family and Dallas Theological Seminary students over the years.

Doug faithfully served as a board member at The Covenant School for six years, and as chairman for 2 of those years. He was an avid fan of the Covenant Knights, while watching his boys, and was known for his exuberant participation from the stands (especially with referees and umpires!) Doug had a great sense of humor and fun which blessed his family, friends, business associates and employees. He and Kelley served in many ministries at Watermark Community Church, including the many young marrieds groups that they led together.

Doug faced his journey with Alzheimer's with courage and worked diligently to exercise at his beloved Cooper Fitness Center every day to stave off the progression of the disease. His days were spent with several ministries, providing the opportunity to serve and to remain socially engaged while having a purposeful quality of life.

Doug is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kelley Goss Maxwell, and their children Riley Maxwell (Chandler) and Casey Maxwell, all of Dallas, and was "Pops" to two precious grandchildren. Other survivors include siblings Lisa Steible (Greg), Molly Ridley (Todd) and John Maxwell (Holly), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in the chapel of Watermark Community Church on August 8th, 2025, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Manegait, Young Life, Brother Bill's Helping Hand, Feed My Starving Children or Buckner International - Shoes for Orphan Souls. All were significant ministries where Doug invested his time and passion for others.