John Joseph Maxwell

John Joseph Maxwell, 93 ENCINITAS -- Mr. John Joseph Maxwell passed away at his residence in Encinitas, California on Friday, March 9, 2012 from natural causes. John had been a resident of Encinitas since 1955. John Maxwell was born December 10, 1918 in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late Albert Maxwell and Caroline Arioli Maxwell. He was an Aeronautical Design Engineer for General Dynamics, Convair, and Lockheed/Marietta. His aerospace work included projects for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions. Mr. Maxwell instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of an education. His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, tennis, bowling, soccer, and bridge. His nickname was "Airplane Grand dad," because he always visited his grandchildren in Georgia for three weeks twice a year from California. John Maxwell is survived by his son, Peter Brian Maxwell of Encinitas; his daughter, Lorna Maxwell Slaton of De Soto, Ga.; as well as six grandchildren: Karamet Slaton Smith and husband Jessie Andrew Smith, Safa Slaton, David Slaton, Izzudin Slaton, Halim Slaton, and Hugh D. Slaton, III; one great- grandson, Carter Slaton Smith; a nephew, Tom Douglas and his wife Kay; and a niece, Barbara Ball. Mr. Maxwell was preceded in death by two brothers, Phillip and Leo; and two sisters, Jennie and Gilda. Final services for John Maxwell will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Encinitas, on Saturday, March 24, 2012. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Rosary at 11:45 a.m., and the Funeral Mass at 12 noon with Fr. Joseph Freeman presiding. The final resting place of Mr. Maxwell will be at El Camino Memorial Park, San Diego, CA. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com