James Oliver (J.O.) Maxwell, 90, of Haines, Oregon, crossed over into eternal glory on January 12,2021
in his own home, surrounded by loved ones, after a brief illness.
J.O. was born on January 24, 1930 to parents Glenn Hand Maxwell and Melva Arvilla Spence Maxwell in his maternal grandparent’s farmhouse in the Muddy Creek area, west of Haines, Oregon. He was the namesake of his paternal grandfather, James Oliver Maxwell.
J.O. grew up on the Maxwell Ranch. His first chores included packing wood, gathering eggs, and feeding the chickens. Later, he tended sheep and belonged to the 4-H Sheep Club. At 13 years of age, he began working in the hayfield driving a team of work horses pulling a mowing machine, to driving a grain truck from the threshing machine to the farm granaries.
J.O.’s first years of schooling were at Muddy Creek School, a couple of miles from home. There was no high school at Muddy Creek, so he moved to Baker City and graduated from Baker High School. During the high school years he worked for the John Deere machinery dealer after school. He attended a year at Oregon State College. The following year, he decided to go to Cal-Tech Aircraft Power Plant and Airframe Mechanic’s School in Glendale, California to be a licensed A & E Mechanic.
The summer before going to school in California, J.O. met a young woman, Sue Williams, while they were each waiting on their sisters to take swim lessons. After becoming acquainted, they began dating and stayed in touch after he went to California.
Upon completing aircraft school, J.O. joined the United States Air Force which he served for six years.
While in the service, he and Sue married on August 12, 1951 and adored each other for 69 years and have two children.
After the military, J.O. worked for the Maxwell Ranch and for Sue’s father drilling water wells in both Oregon and Arizona. He then worked as an aircraft mechanic, manager of a city airport, became a commercial pilot and flight instructor. For several years, he managed the airport in LaGrande, in Union County, and did contract flying for the U.S. Forest Service, dropping smoke jumpers and firefighting equipment as well as running the aircraft maintenance and repair, flight instruction, ground school, air charter, air ambulance and various other related services.
J.O. and Sue relocated to Tucson, AZ where he worked well drilling and house construction. He again moved to Virginia and Tennessee before returning to Haines, OR in the early 1990’s to care for his aging parents. Not one to be idle and enjoying the work of a mechanic, J.O. worked well past the age of retirement. He never met a stranger, was always congenial, when he spoke there came words of wisdom or wit. He lived the life of a Christian in both word and deed earning the respect and love of many across the country that he ministered to through his wise guidance and recordings – he will surely be missed but we know he has reached his eternal destination.
J.O. was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn & Melva Maxwell.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sue Elaine Maxwell. His children: daughter, Kathie Sue Maxwell of Albuquerque, NM; son, Howard James Maxwell of Beaumont, TX. His sister: Glennabelle Barney and husband Jim of Lincoln City, OR. Grandchildren: Jeremy Black, Andrea Black, Aaron Black, James O. Maxwell, Stephen Maxwell, Rebekah Maxwell, Elisabeth Maxwell, as well as 2 great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers include: Gerald Maxwell, Cliff Coles, Larry Curry, Larry Rood, George Dudley and Ken Bain.
Special appreciation to Pam Maxwell for her tender care to both J.O. and Sue last week until other family arrived. J.O. will be missed by many friends and relatives not only in eastern Oregon but across the nation as well – including special family friend: Mary Craig.
Due to health regulations related to the virus pandemic, there is no funeral service at this time. A graveside memorial service will be planned at a later date. Thank you for all the phone calls and expressions of condolences received from the community. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the (Haines Elementary School) or a charity of your choice through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Oregon 97814.
Pam Maxwell is compiling a memory book for the family. If you have a fond memory or a copy of a photo, please send them to Pam Maxwell at 15177 Muddy Creek Lane, Haines, Oregon 97833.
