Gerald L. Maxey

RICHMOND, Ind. – 1st Lieutenant Gerald Leslie Maxey (Ret.), age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, passed to his next “tour of duty” Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at Friends Fellowship Community. Jerry was born November 30, 1943, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, (Springtime in Australia!) to Harold John and Reena Stanley Joyce Solman Maxey. At the young age of two, he, along with his mother and younger brother, sailed to America to join his father’s American family in La Moille, Illinois. Jerry later attended Moody Bible College in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated with a B.S. degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. In 1967, he joined the U.S. Marines as an officer and later received a Purple Heart, after his life-threatening injuries in Vietnam. Jerry was an officer and a gentleman. His versatile career included: serving as a hospital administrator (Jerry earned an MHA from IUPUI) and owning and operating a printing and design business in Zionsville, Indiana, and a commercial insulation business, from where he retired. Jerry loved being outdoors and enjoyed all things nature, especially birds. He once built a log cabin by himself in Park County, Indiana. Jerry was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He lived carefully and gracefully. The love of his life was his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Henley, who he cherished every day of her life. Jerry was an adoring and faithful dad, and he had just begun to really enjoy and care for his grandchildren: Reese Elizabeth, James Asher, Lyla Quinn Bradway, and Piper Lillian. Jerry and his son-in-law, James Aron Henley, shared a special bond, especially in recent months when he could only remember James’s name. Jerry, the oldest of four children, is survived by his two brothers, Darrell Maxey and Raymond (Sarah) Maxey; sister, JoAnn (Robert) Green; nieces; and nephews. He will be missed by many life-long friends, especially Elizabeth’s mother, Anne (Mark) Liebert. A childhood friend, Diane Serkowich, always kept Jerry in her heart. He was preceded in death by his parents. Elizabeth and Anne are so very appreciative of Friends Fellowship Community and the Courtyard’s staff for their loving, respectful, and untiring 24/7 care of Jerry this past year. He was sometimes clearly unappreciative of his cruel, debilitating disease, but they were always kind, unconditional in their love, and somehow made everything bearable. A joyful visitation for Gerald Leslie Maxey will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Elkhorn Cemetery, 5362 Esteb Road, Richmond with Chaplain Sandra Ward-Angell officiating and military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to: Seton Home & School, 240 South 6th Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Gerald L. Maxey

November 30, 1943 - September 18, 2018