1936-2016
Gary Max Mendenhall, 80, died Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at his home in Edmond, OK. Max was born on Jan. 6, 1936 to Carl and Dolores (Thurman) Mendenhall on a farm south of Baker, Oklahoma. He attended school in Baker and graduated from Eureka High School with class of 1954. On July 21, 1956 Max was united in marriage to Lois Jean Hart at the Pershing Avenue Christian Church of Liberal, KS. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on July 21, 2016. Max was a member of the Tyrone Baptist Church and the National Cattlemen Association. He was a farmer and rancher all his life. In 1987 Max, along with partners from Kansas bought the feed yard south of Turpin, OK. They expanded and reopened, as the Tri State Feeders. In 1992, he sold his part and devoted full time to expanding the farming operations which included irrigation farming and purchasing land. He continued to feed cattle at several area feed yards in Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Then in 1996 he retired from farming and moved to Oklahoma City, OK. In 2010 they moved to Edmond, OK. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan, enjoyed watching the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball along with OU and OSU football. He is survived by his wife Lois, and three sons; Tracy Mendenhall of Okarche, OK, Randy Mendenhall of Edmond, OK., and Jamey and wife Missy of Broomfield, CO, two brothers; Dean Mendenhall and wife Elizabeth of Whitesboro, TX and Jack and wife Carol Ann Mendenhall of Buhler, KS; also four grandchildren; Matt Mendenhall and wife Cristina of Lake Havasu City, AZ., Mike Mendenhall and wife Kristi of McCook, Neb., McKenna Mendenhall and Bailey Mendenhall of Broomfield, CO, two great grandsons; Landry Mendenhall and Maddox Mendenhall of McCook, Nebraska, and great granddaughter Brooklyn Mendenhall of Lake Havasu City, AZ, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Dolores Mendenhall. Services for Max are pending at the Kirch-Brenneman Funeral Home of Liberal, KS.