Gary Alan Maxwell

1964 - 2016

Gary Alan Maxwell was born in La Mirada, California on November 17, 1964 and passed away on November 13, 2016. As a boy, Gary was involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Little League. He graduated from Canyon High School in Anaheim and then from Chapman University with a BSBA in 1985 and a MBA in 1987. After graduation Gary worked in the family business handling sales and marketing. When the business was sold Gary started a successful international brokerage business.

As an adult, he developed a passion for sports including rock-climbing, running, rowing and swimming in the ocean. Gary loved the ocean - being in it, on it, or simply near it. For Gary's 50th birthday he swam 50 miles in a month as a fundraiser for Polio eradication.

In 2007 Gary joined Rotary in Eugene, Oregon. Less than two weeks after he joined he was asked to be Chair-Elect of the Great Rotary Duck Race, the District's largest fundraiser comprised of a 13 club effort to raise money for child abuse prevention. In early 2011 Gary transferred his Rotary membership to Monarch Beach Sunrise and became very active at both the club and district level over the following six years. During this time, Gary held a club presidency, many chair and co-chair positions, as well as co-founding the District's annual Business EXPO. Eleven years ago Gary met the love of his life, Michael, who he married in 2008 and lived in Oregon with until late 2010 when they moved to Laguna Beach. While Gary loved traveling to many countries in Asia & Europe, he especially loved Hawaii where he and Michael enjoyed scuba diving, hiking, and swimming. When he wasn't traveling, working or swimming, Gary's favorite pastimes were cooking and walking his dog Maxie along the beach. Gary is survived by his husband Michael, his parents Helen and Pete Maxwell and many beloved family members and friends.