James Earl Maxwell

James Earl Maxwell went to be with his Savior on Monday, November 20, 2017.Visitation:  His family invites you to visit with them at White’s Funeral Home, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford, on Saturday, November 25, 2017, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m..  No funeral services will be held.  Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with private memorial service at a later date.Memorials:   In memory of James Earl, his family suggests making a donation to your local church or Christian organization involved in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Donations to The Gideon International Ministry, P.O. Box 122, Weatherford, Texas 76086 would be greatly appreciated.James was born August 7, 1920, in Mineral Wells, to James Earnest and Iris Maxwell.  He grew up in Mineral Wells where he met his future wife, Ouida Lois Wickes, while working on the high school annual, The Burro, where she was the feature editor and he was the art editor.After high school, James worked for the Construction Quartermaster at Fort Wolters’ Army Post while courting Ouida.  Earl and Ouida were married in July, 1941, at the First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells where both were members. Then came Pearl Harbor and their life together changed dramatically.  Earl enlisted in the Army Air Corp.  He was first stationed in Waco, and then he was transferred overseas to serve with the Eighth Air Force out of England.  Their first child, James Earl Maxwell Jr., was born in 1945 and met his father in 1946 when he returned from the war zone.  During his career of 31 years, he rose in rank to Lieutenant Colonel.  His work included being a radar/bombardier on B-17, B-24, and B-52 bomber jets.  He served as head of the Bomb/Nav shop at Grand Forks AFB, where his department won the international bombing championship held in Great Britain.  At his retirement, he was a member of the Inspector General team at March AFB.Throughout their lives, Earl and Ouida were actively involved helping to establish churches wherever the Lord sent them through their military experience.  They helped establish a church in Rapid City, South Dakota, where their second child, Patijean, was born.  They also help found the Borinquen Baptist Church on the island of Puerto Rico, named for the Borinquen Indians of that island. Earl and Ouida were active members of churches in each community they lived where participating in the choir was a high priority.  In addition, Gideon’s International played a large role in their lives where Earl served in various positions and was very involved in the jail ministry.Survivors:   James’ memory will be cherished by his family which includes his son, James Earl Maxwell Jr. and his wife, Susan; daughter, Patijean Cates and her husband, Richard; his grandchildren, James Tyler Cates, Anne Maxwell Cates Thomson and her husband, Chris; and great-grandson, Alexander.