James Kent Maxwell
1944 – 2023
James Kent Maxwell was born on August 10, 1944, and passed into life eternal on June 29, 2023. He was born to Leo and Mardeena Maxwell and was a wonderful son, full of energy and mischief.
Kent attended the Arizona School for Boys in Tucson, AZ in his early years, later graduating from Harding High School in 1962. Kent went on to OU and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and graduated with a degree in business.
He went to work for his father at the Leo Maxell Co as marketing manager. Leo Maxwell Co was the Oklahoma wholesale distributor of Zenith TV and audio equipment as well as Fedders air conditioning and Armstrong carpets. Later the Leo Maxwell Co. sold, and Kent and his sister purchased Mike Bryan Office Products where he was CEO. Under Kents direction Mike Bryan grew to be one of Oklahoma’s largest independently owned office products dealers which included office furniture and printing services. Kent retired in 1996 when Mike Bryan was sold to a U.S. based paper manufacturer and contract office supplier.
Kent married Daryl Denice Dodson “DeDe” in Acapulco, Mexico in 1974. Together they shared a storybook life of travel and fun including many trips to the family cabin in Chipita Park, CO. Dede was the love of his life and every second he could spend with her, he would.
Kent Loved racing which began at an early age with go karts and peaked when he was a team partner for a car entered in the Indy 500. Kent was the happiest when he was tinkering with a race car or watching them run. He was also a proud supporter of the University of Oklahoma and was an active member of The Touchdown Club, Quarter Century Club and Sooner Club. Kent even attended OU in his retirement taking history courses on Oklahoma and the Native American tribes of the state.
Professionally Kent was an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) including being a member of Forum II and the 49ers. He also served as program director for two years of the OKC YPO Chapter. He was a member of the National Office Products Association and won the Geyers Award for Store Design in 1977.
Kent was preceded in death by his mother and father, Leo and Mardeena Maxell, his sister Bettye Jane Bell, brother-in-law Bill Bell and wife DeDe Maxwell. He is survived by his nephew Mike Bell (wife, Nancy) of Edmond and niece Michelle Doughty of Edmond as well as several close cousins.
The family would like to thank the staff of Iris Memory Care NW including Matt, Peter, Francesca, and Rick as well as Traditions Hospice especially Ashley D, Ashley K, Mona and Kendra who all were supportive and caring during his last days.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association. Services will be at 10:00 am, July 7th at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church.
I will miss Kent, he was a regular on Sunday brunch at La Baguette. He would sit at the bar and watch the races, if they were on, and then go to church. Kent was a very nice man and always had a smile on his face. He and DeDe would come in a least once a week if not more. I am glad they are together again at peace.
Renae, server at La Baguette
I left a family business at 21 yrs old to go to work for Kent in 1986….he was always good to me in every way. When my 1st child was born 6 months later he slipped a hundred dollar bill in an envelope and put it on my desk….the card said I would need that money for diapers, I’ve never forgotten his generosity, it was a lot of money to a 21 yr old……..Not long after that I was not looking forward to telling him that I was going back to work in the family business, Kent was so encouraging and made me feel at ease, even telling me I was doing the right thing…..Prayers for all the family. Kent Maxwell was a good man.
Deloris and I have been friends with Kent and Dee Dee since before either of us were married. We were all in YPO together hand had a
great time in it. We shared Kent’s love of racing and fast cars. He was the first Ferrari owner we ever knew. We bought a Porsche 911 Targa about the same time and discussed who had the best red sports car for years. Have kept up with Kent at Nichols Hills Methodist Church. Sure will miss him!
Dennis and Deloris Bradford
My first real job out of high school. I loved working at Mike Bryan.Kent had a way of making us all feel like family.Although I only put in 12 years I am glad I’m part of the Mike Bryan family. I definitely loved his passion for racing. Thank you Kent for everything