Obituary

Max Mayhill

Obituary

Max Mayhill, one of America's greatest generation, recently passed away. His 91-year life was remarkable. His childhood and life were framed by the Great Depression and growing up on a farm east of Arkansas City. The farm life and one-room school taught him the importance of solving his own problems. There was never time for whining about circumstances. At 18 years old, he married Leona and joined the Army Air Corps. His military service was spent on the Island of Tinian keeping B29s in the air over Japan. It was capped off by flying over the USS Missouri as the treaty was signed to end the war.

His marriage to Leona lasted more than 50 years until her passing from a long illness. Max and Leona shared Depression era values with their four children that combined clear thinking and planning for the future with an emphasis on hard work. Max's work life culminated in a final 26 years working for Hesston Corporation, serving in several management positions. During that time, he traveled to many countries and eagerly shared related photos of his travels with family members. After the children were older, Max and Leona enjoyed many travel experiences. Max was also proud of being a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. In retirement, Max took up woodworking and for many years was one of the carpenters for CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, as well as a volunteer at The Sherwood Academy.

After Leona's passing, Max found another exceptional partner to share his life. He married Kay Hague of Newton. Max and Kay became truly best friends and enjoyed a full life of entertaining and travel together with their many friends and family members. Kay survives at their home in The Woodlands, Texas, and misses him dearly.

Max is also survived by his children: Mary Ellen (Mike) Merritt, Jim (Virginia), Terry (Sherry), and Kathy (Danny) Benbrook. Kay's children Jodi, Kevin, and Mark considered Max a dear friend and very special person for their mother Kay. Grandchildren Staci, Alex, and Rachel were privileged to spend time getting to know Max as a special grandfather while living close in the Texas area. There are many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren scattered throughout the United States whose lives he touched in various ways.

There will be a memorial celebration of Max's life on May 17th, 2016, 1:00 p.m. at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, Texas. There will also be a celebration of life in Newton at a time to be determined when his remains are interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a Max Mayhill Memorial Scholarship fund at The Sherwood Academy, 32810 Tamina Road, Magnolia, TX 77354. Checks should be written to The Sherwood Academy and noted for Max's scholarship fund. Max highly valued the importance of education and will be honored by your contribution.