More detail on this person: USMC (Ret) Major
John Turner "RedMax" Maxwell, Jr., 80, of
Marietta, Georgia, passed from this life on 07
August 2012 at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta,
Georgia. Major Maxwell was born 15 March 1932 in
Braddock, Pennsylvania, to parents John Turner
Maxwell, Sr. and Miriam Estella (Hays) Maxwell.
Major Maxwell grew up in Swissvale, Pennsylvania,
and New Smyrna Beach, Florida. In May 1952, at
age 20, Major Maxwell enlisted in the United
States Marine Corp as an Intelligence Clerk.
During his enlisted time, he served in the Korean
Conflict. In 1955, he entered Naval Aviator Cadet
(NAVCAD) training in Pensacola, Florida, and upon
graduation in November 1956, he was
commissioned as a second lieutenant. During his
NAVCAD training, Major Maxwell met and fell in
love with Miss Barbara Ann "Bobbie" Gaston, of
nearby Union Church, AL. John and Bobbie were
married the day after his graduation, 21 November
1956, and remained a devoted couple for over 55
years. They had two children, John Turner Maxwell
III, and Julie Ann Maxwell. Major Maxwell's 22
years of service in the USMC included stateside
assignments in Florida, California, Texas,
Virginia, North Carolina, Hawai'i, and Georgia,
and overseas duty in Japan, the Mediterranean Sea,
Korea, and Vietnam. Though initially trained as a
fixed-wing pilot, Major Maxwell transitioned to
become a helicopter pilot in 1963. As a helicopter
pilot, he served selflessly and with distinction
in the Vietnam War, performing many heroic acts
which saved countless lives. For his actions, he
was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross and
other medals for valor. Major Maxwell retired from
the USMC in March 1974. after his retirement, he
remained in Marietta, Georgia following his final
assignment with the Marine Air Reserve Training
Detachment (MARTD) at Naval Air Station Atlanta.
He entered college at Georgia State University
and, in 1977, earned a Bachelor of Science in
Criminal Justice. His post-military employment
included Cobb County Parks and Recreation and
the Cobb County Department of Corrections. Major
Maxwell was known for his quick wit and engaging
smile. He was an adept story-teller and had a
particular fondness for cookies, duct tape, and
the color yellow. Above all, his devotion to
family was unsurpassed. Major Maxwell is survived
by his wife, Barbara, son John Maxwell III and his
wife Jennifer Brothers Maxwell, daughter Julie
Norman and her husband Lt Col Kenneth E.
Norman, grandchildren John T. Maxwell IV, Timothy
I. Maxwell, Kenneth E. Norman II, Scott J.
Maxwell, Andrew P. Maxwell, Grace E. Maxwell,
and Christie E. Maxwell, sister Lois Stromp and
her husband John G. Stromp, and nephews John
and Michael Stromp. Viewing will be Thursday, 09
August 2012, 6:30-900 PM at Winkenhofer Funeral
Home, 2950 Cobb Pkwy, Kennesaw, Georgia,
30152. Funeral is Friday morning, 9:30 AM, same
location. Interment is 11:30 AM Georgia National
Cemetery, Canton, Georgia.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on
August 9, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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