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Gary Maxwell Obituary
December 18, 1941 - January 5, 2025
Gary Arch Maxwell, 83, died on January 5, 2025, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, where he resided.
Gary was born on December 18, 1941, to Eleanor Kershaw Maxwell and John K. Maxwell, in Moline IL. He graduated from United Township High School in Moline in 1959 and from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in Chemistry in 1963. He married his college sweetheart, Georgine Marie Green, in 1964. Gary and Georgine had two sons, Timothy William Maxwell and Jonathan Robert Maxwell, both of whom live in the Chicago area. Jon, like his parents, graduated from Augustana College. Jon is married to Ellen Jean Zabinski and they have one son, John Lawrence Maxwell (Jack), who was the delight of Gary's heart.
Gary's parents divorced and both remarried, and Gary has four half-brothers and four half-sisters. Seven survive him: Steve Maxwell, Charles Maxwell, David Maxwell and Richard Fiechter; Judi Fiechter Kittleson, Patty Maxwell and Kathy Maxwell. His sister, Jan Fiechter Pearson, preceded him in death. Both Gary's parents and step-parents predeceased him.
Gary's first wife Georgine died in 1999 and in 2004 Gary married Fran Langstaff. Gary and Fran were married for twenty years before his death and enjoyed travel, particularly to other countries. They also enjoyed visiting Gary's family in the Quad Cities area and frequent visits to Chicago to see their grandson, Jack. Through the years, Gary enjoyed playing golf and poker with friends, reading, fishing, coin collecting, and genealogy research. Gary had a sharp memory, quick wit, and was renowned for his knowledge of history and trivia. He often spoke that his favorite memories were of time spent being a father and watching his children grow up. Gary was known as a person of integrity and is greatly missed.
Gary will be interred at Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity in Gary's memory.
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