Roll Call Tribute
Garrett Maxwell '55 August 23, 2018 9:39 AM updated: August 29, 2018 10:43 AM
Published in Dallas Morning News on Aug. 23, 2018
Garrett Wortham Maxwell(1934 - 2018)
MAXWELL, MD, Garrett Wortham Garrett Wortham Maxwell, MD of Dallas, TX, went home to the Lord on August 18, 2018 at the age of 84. Garrett died of kidney cancer, a battle he fought for 28 years. Garrett was a quiet warrior of resolute spirit and an untiring optimism; his spirit blazed a trail that his body couldn't follow. He leaves a legacy of sharing the love of Christ with his patients and countless others during his life of faithful service. Garrett was born in San Antonio, TX on July 2, 1934 to Dr. WW & Rebecca Maxwell. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1955, and received his Doctor of Medicine from UTMB Galveston in 1959. Garrett married Joyce Hodde on June 6, 1959. They settled in Lancaster, TX. He practiced medicine in Dallas County 40 years and was a member of the Dallas County Medical Society. He was exceptionally focused on caring for his family and providing healthcare for his community. They resided the past two years at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas. Garrett loved serving with Kairos Prison Ministry. He served on many committees at First Methodist Church. He was a member of Lions Club, Gideons Int'l, an Eagle Scout, and Scout Leader. Garrett loved the Frio River, hunting, hiking, and climbing mountains on family vacations at YMCA of the Rockies. He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 59 years, and his three children: Greg Maxwell of Arlington, TX, Cheryl Maxwell Gerke (Damian) of St. Petersburg, FL, and Stewart Maxwell (Robyn) of Dallas, along with six grandchildren: Olivia and Madeline Maxwell, Brennan, Ryan and Hannah Gerke, and Lilly Maxwell. Garrett has two surviving siblings: Annette Morris of Austin, TX and Roselle Braun of Georgetown, TX, and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Virginia Maxwell Hickfang and brother Malcom Maxwell. Services will be held at Presbyterian Village North, Dallas, on Sept 7 at 2:00, and at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, on Sept 8 at 2:00. Donations can be made to the following ministries: http://www.mystronghold.org/ http://newwildernessadventures.com/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent by son
Garrett W. Maxwell, MD '55
Lancaster, TX
July 2, 1934 - August 18, 2018
Maxwell was co-founder of Fish Camp in 1954 while serving as president of Student YMCA under longtime director J. Gordon Gay.
Garrett Wortham Maxwell, MD ‘55 of Dallas, TX, (formerly of Lancaster, TX) went home to the Lord on August 18, 2018 at the age of 84. Garrett died of kidney cancer, a battle he fought for 28 years. Garrett was a quiet warrior of resolute spirit and an untiring optimism; his spirit blazed a trail that his body couldn’t follow. He leaves a legacy of sharing the love of Christ with his patients and countless others during his life of faithful service.
Garrett is survived by Joyce, his beloved wife of 59 years; his son Gregory Wortham Maxwell ‘84 of Arlington, TX; his daughter Cheryl Maxwell Gerke ‘85 and her husband, Damian, of St. Petersburg, FL; his son Stewart Hodde Maxwell ‘87 and wife, Robyn ‘89, of Dallas, TX; along with six grandchildren: Olivia Maxwell and Madeline Maxwell ‘18; Brennan Gerke, Ryan Gerke, and Hannah Gerke ‘17; and Lilly Maxwell ‘19.
Garrett has two surviving siblings: Annette Morris of Austin, TX and Roselle Braun of Georgetown, TX, and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Virginia Maxwell Hickfang and brother Malcom Douglas Maxwell '61.
Garrett was born in San Antonio, TX on July 2, 1934 to William Wortham Maxwell, MD (Class of 1918) & Rebecca Hightower Maxwell. He took violin lessons during most of his childhood. It was recently discovered that Garrett's childhood violin is a 100 year old German instrument, and it was passed on to a Fort Worth Symphony musician for use in outdoor concerts.
Garrett graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in December 1951 and immediately enrolled for the spring 1952 semester at Texas A&M, graduating in May 1955. He was in Squadron 10 until his senior year. He was heavily involved with the YMCA under the leadership of J. Gordon Gay, longtime director of the Student Y at Texas A&M. After carrying heavy class loads his first year, Spring 1953 found Garrett “fatigued and frazzled”. Mr. Gay recommended a summer working at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO, near Rocky Mountain National Park. Garrett said, ”This saved my life!” He returned to work there additional summers while in college, as well as many years of summer vacations there with Joyce and the children beginning in the early 1970s.
He was president of the Student YMCA as a senior and lived on the top floor of the Y building on campus that year. Garrett attended YMCA student leadership conferences in the U.S. and Paris, France. In December 1953, he learned about another college’s freshman orientation retreat. Knowing that Texas A&M freshman would benefit from an orientation retreat, he presented the idea to Mr Gay. With James Caffey and other student leaders, they conducted the first Fish Camp in September 1954. Since then, Fish Camp has continued to grow, helping high school students transition into their college life at Texas A&M.
Garrett loved the mountains, and he climbed Longs Peak in Colorado six times, including one outing where the entire family of five stood on the summit together. At age 73 in 2007, Garrett completed a 20 mile day hike from Grand Lake over the Continental Divide to the YMCA grounds with a group commemorating the 100th anniversary of the YMCA of the Rockies. There is no doubt his hiking companions were frequently encouraged by his mantra “Onward and Upward” or simply “Press On!” inspired by his favorite scripture, Philippians 3:10-14.
He received his Doctor of Medicine from UTMB Galveston, TX, in 1959. Garrett married Joyce Hodde on June 6, 1959. They lived in Little Rock, AR, during his medical residency. He then worked for the US Public Health Service as the chief medical officer for the Federal Correctional Institution at Seagoville, TX. In 1963, Garrett and Joyce settled in Lancaster, TX, where they lived for 53 years. He was exceptionally focused on caring for his family and providing healthcare for his community.
Garrett practiced medicine in Dallas County for 40 years, including 20 years with North Texas Clinic Association in Lancaster and Oak Cliff. He was a partner in Southwest Dallas Physicians near Methodist Charlton Medical Center for five years until retirement in 2000. In between, he could often be found in small town clinics, trusted by doctors in solo practices to cover their offices while they went on rare but well-deserved vacations. He also practiced in Plano, TX and Denver, CO. Garrett and was a member of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Garrett viewed his medical practice as his service to God. With Joyce, he once applied for an overseas assignment with a Christian mission board, yet their destiny was serving the community of Lancaster. They did serve on short-term mission trips to Bolivia and Mexico. Garrett also joined daughter Cheryl in a short-term medical mission in Jamaica in 1986.
Garrett loved singing in the choir at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, and he served in many leadership positions during Garrett and Joyce’s 55 years of membership there.
Having earned the Eagle Scout award as a youth, Garrett naturally served as a volunteer Boy Scout leader in the 1980’s for Troop 140, including three more treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, NM, in addition to his first Philmont trip in the 1950s. Garrett was also an avid hunter, and was fond of his hunting spots. However, Garrett’s favorite outdoor location of all was on the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country.
In retirement, Garrett was passionate about serving with Kairos Prison Ministry. Many of his friends from FUMC joined in this ministry with him, helping to introduce Kairos to the nearby Hutchins State Jail. He also volunteered with Gideons International and with the Lancaster Lions Club for many years.
Garrett desired for everyone he knew to understand the impact God had in his life, and he wanted to help others walk more closely with God.
Garrett and Joyce resided the past two years at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas.
Services will be held at Presbyterian Village North, Dallas, TX, on Friday, September 7 at 2:00pm, and at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, TX, on Saturday, September 8 at 2:00pm.
Memorial gifts may be made to the following:
Kairos Prison Ministry - Hutchins, P.O. Box 572, Coppell, Texas 75019
First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Dallas Ave., Lancaster, Texas 75146
Stronghold Ministry, a cancer and support ministry: http://www.mystronghold.org
http://www.newwildernessadventures.com (indicate “Barry Strickland”)
Garrett Wortham Maxwell(1934 - 2018)
MAXWELL, MD, Garrett Wortham Garrett Wortham Maxwell, MD of Dallas, TX, went home to the Lord on August 18, 2018 at the age of 84. Garrett died of kidney cancer, a battle he fought for 28 years. Garrett was a quiet warrior of resolute spirit and an untiring optimism; his spirit blazed a trail that his body couldn't follow. He leaves a legacy of sharing the love of Christ with his patients and countless others during his life of faithful service. Garrett was born in San Antonio, TX on July 2, 1934 to Dr. WW & Rebecca Maxwell. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1955, and received his Doctor of Medicine from UTMB Galveston in 1959. Garrett married Joyce Hodde on June 6, 1959. They settled in Lancaster, TX. He practiced medicine in Dallas County 40 years and was a member of the Dallas County Medical Society. He was exceptionally focused on caring for his family and providing healthcare for his community. They resided the past two years at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas. Garrett loved serving with Kairos Prison Ministry. He served on many committees at First Methodist Church. He was a member of Lions Club, Gideons Int'l, an Eagle Scout, and Scout Leader. Garrett loved the Frio River, hunting, hiking, and climbing mountains on family vacations at YMCA of the Rockies. He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 59 years, and his three children: Greg Maxwell of Arlington, TX, Cheryl Maxwell Gerke (Damian) of St. Petersburg, FL, and Stewart Maxwell (Robyn) of Dallas, along with six grandchildren: Olivia and Madeline Maxwell, Brennan, Ryan and Hannah Gerke, and Lilly Maxwell. Garrett has two surviving siblings: Annette Morris of Austin, TX and Roselle Braun of Georgetown, TX, and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Virginia Maxwell Hickfang and brother Malcom Maxwell. Services will be held at Presbyterian Village North, Dallas, on Sept 7 at 2:00, and at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, on Sept 8 at 2:00. Donations can be made to the following ministries: http://www.mystronghold.org/ http://newwildernessadventures.com/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent by son
Garrett W. Maxwell, MD '55
Lancaster, TX
July 2, 1934 - August 18, 2018
Maxwell was co-founder of Fish Camp in 1954 while serving as president of Student YMCA under longtime director J. Gordon Gay.
Garrett Wortham Maxwell, MD ‘55 of Dallas, TX, (formerly of Lancaster, TX) went home to the Lord on August 18, 2018 at the age of 84. Garrett died of kidney cancer, a battle he fought for 28 years. Garrett was a quiet warrior of resolute spirit and an untiring optimism; his spirit blazed a trail that his body couldn’t follow. He leaves a legacy of sharing the love of Christ with his patients and countless others during his life of faithful service.
Garrett is survived by Joyce, his beloved wife of 59 years; his son Gregory Wortham Maxwell ‘84 of Arlington, TX; his daughter Cheryl Maxwell Gerke ‘85 and her husband, Damian, of St. Petersburg, FL; his son Stewart Hodde Maxwell ‘87 and wife, Robyn ‘89, of Dallas, TX; along with six grandchildren: Olivia Maxwell and Madeline Maxwell ‘18; Brennan Gerke, Ryan Gerke, and Hannah Gerke ‘17; and Lilly Maxwell ‘19.
Garrett has two surviving siblings: Annette Morris of Austin, TX and Roselle Braun of Georgetown, TX, and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Virginia Maxwell Hickfang and brother Malcom Douglas Maxwell '61.
Garrett was born in San Antonio, TX on July 2, 1934 to William Wortham Maxwell, MD (Class of 1918) & Rebecca Hightower Maxwell. He took violin lessons during most of his childhood. It was recently discovered that Garrett's childhood violin is a 100 year old German instrument, and it was passed on to a Fort Worth Symphony musician for use in outdoor concerts.
Garrett graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in December 1951 and immediately enrolled for the spring 1952 semester at Texas A&M, graduating in May 1955. He was in Squadron 10 until his senior year. He was heavily involved with the YMCA under the leadership of J. Gordon Gay, longtime director of the Student Y at Texas A&M. After carrying heavy class loads his first year, Spring 1953 found Garrett “fatigued and frazzled”. Mr. Gay recommended a summer working at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO, near Rocky Mountain National Park. Garrett said, ”This saved my life!” He returned to work there additional summers while in college, as well as many years of summer vacations there with Joyce and the children beginning in the early 1970s.
He was president of the Student YMCA as a senior and lived on the top floor of the Y building on campus that year. Garrett attended YMCA student leadership conferences in the U.S. and Paris, France. In December 1953, he learned about another college’s freshman orientation retreat. Knowing that Texas A&M freshman would benefit from an orientation retreat, he presented the idea to Mr Gay. With James Caffey and other student leaders, they conducted the first Fish Camp in September 1954. Since then, Fish Camp has continued to grow, helping high school students transition into their college life at Texas A&M.
Garrett loved the mountains, and he climbed Longs Peak in Colorado six times, including one outing where the entire family of five stood on the summit together. At age 73 in 2007, Garrett completed a 20 mile day hike from Grand Lake over the Continental Divide to the YMCA grounds with a group commemorating the 100th anniversary of the YMCA of the Rockies. There is no doubt his hiking companions were frequently encouraged by his mantra “Onward and Upward” or simply “Press On!” inspired by his favorite scripture, Philippians 3:10-14.
He received his Doctor of Medicine from UTMB Galveston, TX, in 1959. Garrett married Joyce Hodde on June 6, 1959. They lived in Little Rock, AR, during his medical residency. He then worked for the US Public Health Service as the chief medical officer for the Federal Correctional Institution at Seagoville, TX. In 1963, Garrett and Joyce settled in Lancaster, TX, where they lived for 53 years. He was exceptionally focused on caring for his family and providing healthcare for his community.
Garrett practiced medicine in Dallas County for 40 years, including 20 years with North Texas Clinic Association in Lancaster and Oak Cliff. He was a partner in Southwest Dallas Physicians near Methodist Charlton Medical Center for five years until retirement in 2000. In between, he could often be found in small town clinics, trusted by doctors in solo practices to cover their offices while they went on rare but well-deserved vacations. He also practiced in Plano, TX and Denver, CO. Garrett and was a member of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Garrett viewed his medical practice as his service to God. With Joyce, he once applied for an overseas assignment with a Christian mission board, yet their destiny was serving the community of Lancaster. They did serve on short-term mission trips to Bolivia and Mexico. Garrett also joined daughter Cheryl in a short-term medical mission in Jamaica in 1986.
Garrett loved singing in the choir at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, and he served in many leadership positions during Garrett and Joyce’s 55 years of membership there.
Having earned the Eagle Scout award as a youth, Garrett naturally served as a volunteer Boy Scout leader in the 1980’s for Troop 140, including three more treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, NM, in addition to his first Philmont trip in the 1950s. Garrett was also an avid hunter, and was fond of his hunting spots. However, Garrett’s favorite outdoor location of all was on the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country.
In retirement, Garrett was passionate about serving with Kairos Prison Ministry. Many of his friends from FUMC joined in this ministry with him, helping to introduce Kairos to the nearby Hutchins State Jail. He also volunteered with Gideons International and with the Lancaster Lions Club for many years.
Garrett desired for everyone he knew to understand the impact God had in his life, and he wanted to help others walk more closely with God.
Garrett and Joyce resided the past two years at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas.
Services will be held at Presbyterian Village North, Dallas, TX, on Friday, September 7 at 2:00pm, and at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, TX, on Saturday, September 8 at 2:00pm.
Memorial gifts may be made to the following:
Kairos Prison Ministry - Hutchins, P.O. Box 572, Coppell, Texas 75019
First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Dallas Ave., Lancaster, Texas 75146
Stronghold Ministry, a cancer and support ministry: http://www.mystronghold.org
http://www.newwildernessadventures.com (indicate “Barry Strickland”)
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
When Aggies see a need, their energy and their selflessness draw others into the cause, and good things happen.
© 2024 The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, All Rights Reserved