Gary LeRoy Maxon

Gary LeRoy Maxon was born June 18, 1943 in Independence, MO of Robert Lee Maxon and Berneice Rice Maxon.  He passed away January 19, 2009 at the Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, MO after a well fought battle with cancer.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Carol, son Michael, daughter Stephanie, and six grandchildren: Ashley Anne, Michael Dwayne, William Francis LeRoy, Elice Carolanne,  Camden Matthew  and Lawson Turner.   He was a wonderful husband, devoted father and adoring grandfather.   Other survivors include stepmother, Mildred Maxon; six  sisters and brothers,  Jewell  Lee Bair, Robert Lee Maxon, Michael Roy Maxon, Susan Brown, Larry Maxon and Linda Brooks.

He graduated from William Chrisman High School in l961, South Dakota State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Design and later received his Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University.   His latest accomplishment was obtaining the title of Master Gardener.

He entered the U.S. Air Force in l967.  He was a pilot for most of his career, flying the C-121, the KC-l35 and the RC-135.  He also served as commander of the Organizational Maintenance Squadron at Offutt AFB, NE.  During the Viet Nam War he was stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.  Other assignments were in Maine, Nebraska and Spain.  He retired from the Air Force in 1988, began flying for TWA and later American Airlines.  He was active in Boy Scouts for many years and was a Life Member of the NRA.

He permanently retired in 2003 and moved with Carol to Lake Pomme de Terre near Pittsburg, Missouri.   They enjoyed traveling, taking trips through the south and one special trip to the west coast via the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 23, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and the funeral will be Saturday, January 24^th at the New Salem Funeral Home, 1823 Blue Mills Road, Independence, MO 64058.