JOHN MAXWELL

FORT WORTH -- John Alvis Maxwell, a retired insurance executive, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, Dec. 18, 2011, nearing his 90th year. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Thursday in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn St., following a private committal service in the Mausoleum at Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: He will lie in state Wednesday at Robertson Mueller Harper where family and friends will gather 5 to 7 p.m. in the Great Room. Memorials: Consideration of contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth or the American Heart Fund, in John's memory, is suggested. Born Jan. 25, 1922 in Sterling, Colo., John was the son of John Alexander and Elizabeth Alvis Maxwell. He married Ruby Wilkinson at the "old" First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Worth on Dec. 24, 1946. The couple was blessed with two children, Richard and Annetta. John served with distinction in World War II after graduating from Notre Dame Midshipman School. His tour of duty found him on an LST in the Pacific. His ship was one of the first in Tokyo Harbor, where he watched the signing of the surrender of Japan. He was honorably discharged as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. His 50-year insurance career began with Miller's Mutual, Ed B. Collett and Frank Dunham. John joined Mitchell, Gartner & Thompson as a junior partner and soon became a senior partner. The agency was later sold to Alexander & Alexander. After retiring, he was invited to join Higginbotham Associates as a vice president. He was a longtime member and volunteer at First Presbyterian and Colonial Country Club, where he made a hole-in-one. He enjoyed traveling with his son to many golf courses around the country; their favorites were at Pebble Beach, Calif. His memberships also included the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and the L.S.T. Association. Survivors: In addition to his wife of nearly 65 years, Ruby, John is survived by his children, Richard Maxwell and his wife, Susan, of Germantown, Tenn., and Annetta Maxwell Caricato and her husband, Sam, of Arlington; grandchildren, Roland Sanchez and Cammie, Nicole Kersh and William, and Jessica Maxwell; and great-grandchildren, Bryn, Ryler, Garon and Kayla. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of JOHN MAXWELL please visit our Sympathy Store.