Gale Maxwell

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Gale Maxwell was born on Dec. 8, 1943, in Tucker to Curt and Lavelle (Davis) Maxwell. He passed on Nov. 3, 2019, in Tulsa at the age of 75. He grew up the son of a farmer and preacher in Sailor Bottoms. Gale began elementary school on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tamaha and later moved on to attend Keota High School. 

In 1959, at age 16, Gale bought his first bob truck and began hauling crops for Stillwell Canning Company. The demands of his trucking business took him away from school so he quit his senior year and later earned a GED. After the bottoms were flooded with the Robert S. Kerr Dam in 1970, he entered Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee and earned an Associate degree in Computer Programming. Upon completion he went to work for the State of Oklahoma, playing a key role in developing the state’s first payroll system for DHS. He held various jobs in the Department of Human Services and retired after 26 years of service. He then took over as the Stigler tag agent until his death.  

Gale wasn’t an avid sports fan or hunter but he found the same adrenaline rush in “making a deal.” He spent hours shopping flea markets, auctions, garage sales and pawn shops looking for something to buy low and sell  high. Additionally, during his lifetime, Gale had many side jobs and businesses. With a certification in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), he spent countless hours restoring and repairing home and residential systems to earn extra income and help out family and friends. He was a proud yellow dog Democrat who was instrumental in local, state and federal campaigns. As a loving, supportive husband, father, and grandfather, he proclaimed that his proudest achievement in life was his family. Family was never limited to those related by blood. He provided love and direction to many throughout the community over the years. Gale was a brilliant man who always had the answers.  He was a rock for his family and his community.

He is survived by his wife Pat Maxwell of the home; his children, Devlan Maxwell and wife, Amy of Mustang, Dana Wills and husband, Robbie of Conway, Ark. and Joe Maxwell of Stigler; siblings Ray Maxwell and wife, Dixie of Keota and Karen Berninger and husband, Tom of Broken Arrow; grandkids, Makala Mooney and husband, Kalep of El Reno, Madison Maxwell of Mustang, Gavin Maxwell of Mustang, Rylee Wills of Conway, Ark. and Alley Wills of Conway, Ark. Great-grandchild, Mazelyn Mooney of El Reno and lifelong friend Paulette McCord of Wilburton. 

Gale was preceded in death by his parents Curt and Lavelle Maxwell; his brother Gary Maxwell; his sister Brenda Maxwell; his grandparents Arthur and Lena Maxwell and his grandparents Jesse Davis and Mary Collins. 

Viewing was on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mallory Chapel – Keota.

Services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Keota High School auditorium. 

Officials were Brandon Mooneyham, eulogy and Tommy Brown, obituary.

Pallbearers were Brandon Davis, Trucky Maxwell, Dow Maxwell, Jake Maxwell, Andy Marowski, Brandon Mooneyham, Charles Ross, Luther Woolbright and Roy McClary.

Honorary pallbearers were Jim Rowe, Mike Coble, Joe Paul Clement, Jack Holderfield, Eddie Cowan, Betty Moore, Sue Oliver, Wilma Carry Clyma, Milford Blaylock, Rep. Ed Cannaday, Dan Drummonds and Lawrence Burris.

Stigler News-Sentinel

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Stigler, OK 74462

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