Obituary: Maxwell, John Richard
Age 75
He was at peace and surrounded by his family who loved him so.
John grew up in Alaska and never outgrew his appreciation of nature.
He was an avid fisherman and sportsman, a skill that helped his single mom feed her family.
In grade school and junior high John had a Husky dog team that he raced in local events.
In high school he was active in a car club and loved detailing and restoring cars.
John started working at 14 years old in his uncle’s auto shop.
Then at 15 years old he added an evening job as a janitor at the local drug store.
For two years John saved for a car which he and his friends then restored.
John started in the grocery business at 16 as a box boy.
Soon his energy and enthusiasm were noticed and many promotions followed.
When John was 28 years old Safeway transferred him to Seattle to manage the Ballard store.
There he met and married his wife Kathy.
They merged their young families and never looked back.
There was no time for that.
John’s job was a grand adventure that lead them all across America and involved moving ten times.
He finished his career here in Spokane as president and CEO of Tidyman’s.
As he neared retirement John bought a BMW Roadster that he adored.
He and Kathy spent many happy hours road-tripping around the state and cruising the Palouse.
John had a quick bright sense of humor that delighted all who knew them.
John was funny, kind and steadfast even as his battle with Parkinson’s Disease progressed.
He was a loving and generous father and grandfather as well as an extraordinary husband.
His death is a tremendous loss to our family.
We will forever miss his giant hugs, his happy laugh, and his loving smile.
We are so grateful we were part of his life.
He brought us joy.
We loved him well.
He is survived by his wife Kathy; his son John E. Maxwell (Robyn); his daughter Holli Tierney; and his granddaughters Emma and Sabrina Tierney.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairmount Sunset Chapel on September 11th, 2015 at 7PM.
There will be a time of gathering prior to the service from 6:30PM to 7:00PM.
Fairmount Chapel is located at the west end of Wellesley St., pass Ball and Dodd Funeral Home continuing through the large gates to the Fairmount grounds.
Sunset Chapel is on the bluff overlooking the river.
A special thanks to Dr. Michel Kerkering, Jamie Mark, Homer, the staff at Clare Bridge/Brookdale, and all the other people who cared for John with such kindness during his illness.
Memorial contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation.