Kay Bruce Maxson

Maxon, Kay Bruce 1/24/1933 - 9/27/2017 Galesburg, Michigan It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kay, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and one of Galesburg's most prominent citizens. Kay was born in Lowell, Michigan to Russell J. and Rosalie F. (Foster) Maxson. Kay moved around a lot in his youth, but would graduate from Lowell High School in 1951 and entered the United States Navy in February of 1952. Kay was assigned to the U.S.S. Oriskany beginning his military adventure. He proudly served this country during the Korean War but was particularly proud of the fact that he was aboard the Oriskany when she became the first aircraft carrier in United States history to navigate around Cape Horn (the southern tip of South America) on June 29, 1952. Kay would eventually settle down in Galesburg and began working for his future father-in-law Wendell Hoag at the Hoag Burke Funeral Home. He was the very first pre-mortuary science student at Western Michigan University. Kay and Marylin Hoag were wed on March 31, 1956. They immediately moved to Detroit so Kay could attend Wayne State University's Mortuary Science School. Upon graduation in 1957, Kay and Marylin returned to Galesburg and remained there for the rest of their lives together. Kay became a licensed insurance agent in 1958 once again working for Wendell Hoag at the Wendell C. Hoag Agency. He would eventually purchase the insurance agency but continued to work at the funeral home as well. He maintained his funeral director's license for 50+ years. Kay, Wendell, and daughter Lisa Kay would turn the insurance agency into a three-generation legacy that continues to this day. Kay became a Boy Scout leader in Galesburg in 1958 and was still involved in Scouting until his last day with us. It is impossible to imagine how many young men's lives he influenced since 1958. He was very proud that his son Jeff and grandson Jacob would follow his legacy in Scouting. In his words, "three generations in Scouting all at the same time." Kay was also a Lion's Club member for 60 years and was the only treasurer of the Galesburg Historical Society and Museum since its inception in 1975. Kay made his first "ambulance run" in 1954 when it was associated with the funeral home and would continue to work with the Galesburg Ambulance Service until 1985. Kay continued his patriotism by starting to retire American flags that were unfit to fly about thirty years ago. That soon would evolve into flag history presentations as well. His family now has a collection of original and replica flags dating back to the Revolutionary War. His son Jeff, daughter-in-law Donna, granddaughter Kaylee and grandson Jacob have vowed to him that the tradition will continue, "always done with dignity and honor". A flag retirement ceremony will be held in his honor on Veterans Day, Saturday November 11th, 2017 at the Galesburg Historical Musuem at 4 pm. Upon his "retirement" Kay and Marylin wintered in Texas, then Florida for 13 years. Both Kay and Marylin took great pride in any and all activities involving their beloved grandchildren, including annual camping trips. Kay was considered by many to be the patriarch of the Galesburg community. If anyone needed to know anything about Galesburg's past, present, or future, the answer was often "just ask Kay". As busy as Kay was he volunteered for many more things too numerous to mention. Without considering all the other things he did for the Galesburg community just totaling his Scouting, Lion's Club, museum, ambulance, and flag retirement years Kay accumulated a total of 222 years of service to the Galesburg community. His debt to Galesburg can never be repaid and "his shoes will never be filled". Kay is preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Wendell, the love of his life his wife Marylin, three brothers Jack, Harold, Morris, one half-brother Dan Maxson, and one half-sister Bobbi Maxson. He is survived by daughter Lisa Kay Maxson, son Jeffery Steven (Donna) Maxson, grandchildren Kyle (Gabe Rettaliata) Wilson, Kaylin (Andrew) Miller, Jacob (Danielle Klaver) Maxson, Kaylee (Charles) Rhames, one brother David (Julie) Maxson, one half-brother Tom (Paulette) Maxson, and two half-sisters Darlene (Al) Dacey and Betsy (Bob) Rhone. His visitation will take place, per his request, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Galesburg Chapel, 145 W. Battle Creek Street, on Friday, October 13th, 2017 from 9 am to 8 pm with another visitation on Saturday, October 14th from 9 am to 11 am and a memorial service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Boy Scout Troop 265 and the Galesburg Historical Society and Museum. Please visit Kay's personalized webpage to leave a condolence to his family at www.langelands.com.