James O'Leary Maxwell

James O'Leary Maxwell was born October 13, 1938 to Eddie and Mable Maxwell in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and family later moved to Toledo, OH where James matriculated through the Toledo Independent School District. James gave his life to Christ at the tender age of twelve Dorr Street Church of Christ in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating High School James began his college career and earned many academic degrees.
James briefly attended Toledo University in Toledo, Ohio. His journey to Southwestern began when one day Tommy Flacks brought a group of students to the Dorr Street Church of Christ in Toledo, Ohio. He encouraged James and a few others to attend Southwestern Christian College. James graduated Southwestern Christian College in the Spring of 1959 with an Associate of Arts Degree. James continued his education and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Education at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. In 1969 he earned the Master of Religious Education degree from Central Theological Seminary in Kansas City in 1970.
James served as Academic Dean at Southwestern Christian College from 1971-1978. He served as Vice-President of Institutional Expansion at Southwestern Christian College from 1978-2019. As Vice-President, he initiated and maintained fund-raising campaigns, wrote proposals for public and private grants, prepared news releases of college functions, edited the SWCC Communiqué, and solicited deferred gifts for the College. He was also a Professor of Bible and Religious Education.
In 1972 James earned the Master of Science degree in Higher Education from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce), and the Master of Theology degree (Equivalent) from Southern Methodist University. He completed all work but the thesis for the MA in Speech Communication at Ohio University. In 1978 James O. Maxwell earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology) and received the honorary Doctor of Laws (LL. D) degree from SwCC in 2008.
Dr. Maxwell served as Minister for the North Gulfport and Moss Point, Mississippi Churches of Christ; the Cleveland Avenue Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio; the Roswell Church of Christ in Kansas City, Kansas; the Lawrence and Marder and the Cherry Valley Churches of Christ in Dallas, Texas from the mid-nineteen seventies to the late nineteen eighties. He served Southern Hills Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas from 1990-2006. Dr. Maxwell retired as Minister of Southern Hills Church of Christ June 11, 2006. On June 25, 2006, he began a second term as Minister of Development and Outreach with the Roswell Avenue Church of Christ in Kansas City, Kansas.
Dr. Maxwell was one of the originators of "Let's Do it Christ's Way," a TV program sponsored by several Dallas Metroplex Churches of Christ. Dr. Maxwell co-authored, with Dr. Jack Evans Sr., Divorce and Remarriage in the Church of Christ, and he edited four SwCC Lectureship books. He also published four of his debates entitled, Jesus-Only Doctrine and Pentecostalism, Divorce and Remarriage, Metaphysical Research, and The Axe Is Laid To The Root of The Tree (7th Day Adventism).
Dr. Maxwell also wrote six lessons that were published in three Twentieth Century Christian Adult Bible Quarterlies. He was the editor and a staff writer for the Christian Echo and wrote for the Gospel Advocate. He wrote twelve tracts, eleven of which are featured in the Haun Publishing Company.
Dr. Maxwell was selected as Outstanding Alumnus of SwCC in 1871; honored for service rendered as the SwCC Academic Dean; awarded the Key to the City of Augusta, Georgia, in 1983; given a 20-year service award from SwCC in 1991. He has also received the Father of Valor and the Man of Valor Awards from the SwCC Beautification Committee; the R.N. Hogan Ministerial Award and SwCC Academic and Author's Image Awards. The Living Legend Award from the Dallas area Preachers and Church Leaders. He was inducted into the inaugural class of Southwestern Christian College's Hall of Fame in 2009.
Dr. Maxwell authored many works among them are, "There Is A Lion In The Way," "The Way of Truth, The Bible and Abortion", "The Tangled Web of Deceit", "Super Bowl VII" (a commentary on the symbols in Revelation), "Hush Your Mouth", "I Can't Come Down", "Don't Know Much About Church History" and "No Upreach Without Outreach". Dr. Maxwell's impact on Churches of Christ in America is unmeasurable. He has trained thousands, been influential in the baptism of thousands and his writings are in the homes of thousands. He has defended the gospel numerous times in debates. Dr. Maxwell has conducted hundreds of gospel meetings, campaigns and workshops; He participated on numerous brotherhood lectureships over the last sixty years.
On October 31, 1964, James married the former Betty Grace Allison. To that union they were blessed with three wonderful children: James Apollos, Miriam Rene & Julian DeShawn Maxwell. He and his wife Betty Grace were blessed with six beautiful grandchildren. Dr. James O. Maxwell retired from Southwestern Christian College in 2019. Dr. Maxwell was diagnosed with dementia and battled the disease for six years. He was a trooper until the end. Although his memory faded and body weakened, the spark in his eye, his wit and dynamic smile never left him.
He attended services of the Church as much as possible until his health would not allow. As his memory faded, he kept his treasured books on the sofa by his side. Dr. Maxwell loved boxing and watching the NBA on TNT. The Los Angeles Lakers were his favorite basketball team. He loved wings, soup, reading, the news, current events and Westerns. Dr. Maxwell was a great friend and confidant to everyone. For years during the holidays Dr. & Mrs. Maxwell invited students who were not able to go to their homes over to his home for dinner. Dr. Maxwell often spent his own money to support students and people in need. Not only generous with his time and resources, he would occasionally loan his own vehicles to students who needed transportation. On Monday, January 14, 2025, James O'Leary Maxwell was called from this earthly life to his eternal rest after a lengthy illness.
James O. Maxwell was preceded in death by his parents Eddie and Mable Maxwell, sisters Shirley Scott, Barbara Guy and brother Waymond Maxwell.
He leaves to cherish his memory: Betty Grace, his wife for over 60 years, children James Apollos Maxwell (LaConya), Miriam Renee Smith (Kermit), Julian Deshawn Maxwell (Rachel), his brothers Glenn Maxwell (Petra), Bruce Maxwell (Shirley) and sister Gloria Slatton. Six grandchildren, James Brooks Maxwell, Cathryn Grace Maxwell, Jamyiah Lashan Maxwell, Nova Monae Rose Maxwell, Caleb Austin Smith & Allison Makayla Smith.
Additionally, he leaves a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, Southwestern Christian College former students and staff, and Churches of Christ across the nation. May the Lord add a blessing to those touched by the influence, scholarship and ministry of Dr. James O. Maxwell. May he rest in eternal peace with His Lord and the host of Heaven in the resurrection.
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