Elbert Leon Maxwell

With great sorrow we announce the passing on April 1, 2016, of our beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and best friend, retired Major Elbert Leon Maxwell. “Max” or “Leon” was born on July 27, 1930, in Sherwood, Tennessee, to Claude and Pina Maxwell. Max joined the Army in 1948 and valiantly served his country with honor in Japan, Korea, Italy, Germany, and Vietnam over the course of his 22-year career. He was a decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After retiring from the military, Max earned an accounting degree from UTEP in 1972. An innovative entrepreneur, he owned The Maxwell Agency, an insurance, real estate, and defensive driving business. He retired in 2012. Max was passionate about politics, a civic leader, and a member of the Optimist Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Retired Officers Association. He was a “practicing Italian” in the American Italian Association, where he served on the board for several years. He enjoyed traveling, the horse races, bowling, bridge, martinis, and good meals with his family and friends. Always kind, honest, and respectful of the dignity of his fellow human beings, Max will be missed and treasured by all who had the pleasure to call him friend. He is survived by “the love of his life” of 57 years, Ornella Maxwell; his son, Robert P. Maxwell and daughter-in-law, Tove Hilland Maxwell; daughter, Elizabeth “Susie” Moya and son-in-law Jaime Moya, and his youngest son, John P. Maxwell; his six grandchildren, Nicole LeRoy and her husband Ryan, Marcus Maxwell, Monica Sedillo and her husband Carlos, Marisa Moya and her fiancée Justin Brantley, Daniela Moya, and Jaime Moya; two brothers, James Sidney Maxwell and Thomas “Tinker” Maxwell; three sisters, Annie Marie McKnight, Mamie Lois Garner, and Nancy Eileen Mangrum; and many nieces and nephews. We will always be thankful for the wonderful memories and joy he brought to our lives. Be in peace wherever your spirit takes you, Dad! We will love you forever. Visitation: 10:00am, Funeral Service: 11:30am at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, Wednesday, April 6, 2016 followed by Committal Service with Full Military Honors at 1:30pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. (www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net). In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association.