Austin F. Maxwell passed peacefully in Rexburg, Idaho on June 23, 2023. He was born to Haskell Maxwell and Edvern Matlock Maxwell in Cowlington, OK on August 5, 1936. He was the third of nine children. He was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He spent his childhood in Oklahoma and had many happy memories. After moving to California, he attended Modesto High School where he was active in sports and was a talented member of the Track Team. He competed in the Modesto Relays. After high school he entered the trades and installed hardwood flooring as well as other jobs. He went to work for Del Monte Corp. in 1970 and retired as a supervisor in 1998.
His beloved wife, Ruby Hunt Maxwell, preceded him in death in 1999. He told Ruby he would never remarry, and he kept his word. Austin and Ruby had five daughters: Cindy (deceased 2022), Lori (Bob), Sandra (Dave), Suzanne (deceased 1967) and Leigh. His surviving grandchildren are Matthew (Meranda), Ashley (Brad), Alexandria, Kleigh, Cydny (Brandon), and Alexia. His great-grandchildren are Declan, Sebastian, and Daemian. Austin was predeceased by his great-granddaughters Blake and Hudson.
Austin loved his family and spent a great deal of time instructing his kids about the history of the Old West, baseball, and horses. He also spent his time with the horses he loved and the great outdoors. His highest achievement in the horse show ring was a championship win in the Northern California Halter Futurity, but his first love was being in the saddle and doing cow work. As the saying goes, “old cowboys never die, they just ride away.” Thank you, Dad, for the treasured time you spent with us and the stories of family, The Old West, Baseball, and horses. You were the best!
Services will be held privately.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
July 12, 2023