Jerry Lee Maxwell, age 68, passed away on April 10, 2021, at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas.
Jerry was born on October 27, 1952, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of John and Nina (Snedden) Maxwell. He attended school in Smith County, graduating from Smith Center High School in 1971. On August 6, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Jody Williamson, in Smith Center. Together, they raised two sons, Caleb and Cade.
He began farming on the family farm and enjoyed his career, working the land and raising livestock, until he retired in 2019. He was always willing to allow his "city" nephews to share in the farming life, particularly at harvest, and many great memories were shared.
Jerry enjoyed following the boys and grandkids as they participated in their many sports. He also enjoyed spending time with the multitude of the boys' friends who would come to the house to grab a meal, play cards, or to share and listen to the BS. Jerry was always full of BS. He was an amazing joke and storyteller with an impeccable sense of comedic timing and just the right amount of pause before he would burst forth with his one-of-a-kind, infectious laugh that will be greatly missed.
Jerry loved hunting, fishing, bowling, and playing cards, which he enjoyed with his many friends, relatives, and especially his kids and grandkids. Jerry and the boys were always planning another fishing trip, whether it be to the local lakes, Texoma, Oahe or Devils Lake.
Jerry was born with only one kidney and he became very ill as it began to fail. In February 2004, he began dialysis treatments. After 13 months on dialysis, his oldest son, Caleb, donated his kidney and on March 29, 2005, he was blessed with a second life adding 16 more years with his beloved family.
Jerry always had a unique way of saying good-bye. If you were on the phone with him and he was done with the conversation, all you got was a click, and that was it! But when saying good-bye to his grandkids, he would grab his wrist and wiggle it up and down, making his other hand wobble in a lively, limp shake, and say, "Bye" or "See you!" So, until we see him again, as he would also say: After while crocodile!
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nina; his brother, Jack Wood; his sister-in-law, Pat Wood; and his nephew, David Wood.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jody of Smith Center; sons Caleb (April), and Cade (Ashley), both of Smith Center; brother Bob (Dona) Maxwell of Smith Center; mother-in-law Della and father-in-law Hugh Hendrickson of Smith Center; sisters-in-law Barbie (Brad) Timmons of Smith Center; Jana (Scott) Horsfall of Hays; brothers-in-law, Jay (Jane) Williamson of Marysville; David (Pearl) Williamson of Baldwin City; grandsons, Hesston and Jace of Smith Center; granddaughters Mya of Plymouth, Nebraska, and Teagan of Smith Center; a special niece who was like a sister, Karol (Wood) Potter of Springfield, Oregon; a cousin who was like a brother, John Robert (Barbara) Maxwell of Wichita; two nieces and nine nephews; 10 great-nieces and seven great-nephews.
Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, April 16, at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary, 116 W. First Street, Smith Center, Kansas.
Celebration of Life Services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 17, at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary.
Final Resting Place will be in Fairview Cemetery, 1309 N Main, Smith Center, Kansas.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Midwest Transplant or the Smith Center Pool House Fund sent in care of the Mortuary.