Bob Maxwell

James Robert Maxwell, known as Bob to his friends and family, and adored for his outsized sense of humor and endless reserves of stories, died Feb. 7, 2022, at Villas Memory Care in Jackson. He was 82.

Bob was born July 21, 1939, in Morehouse, Missouri, to James Loren Maxwell and Ora Lee Morehead Maxwell. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1957.

He married Mary Jane Brown, his high school sweetheart, May 31, 1958, at the Charleston, Missouri, home of Mary Jane's parents. He and Mary Jane later moved to Cape Girardeau, where they raised their three children, Sarah, Robbie and Lesli.

Bob worked in sales for much of his career, including for three decades with Procter and Gamble. His intellect, wit and storytelling brought laughter to countless friends and family members. He coined colorful and hilarious expressions to describe ordinary people and ordinary life, so-called "Bob-isms" widely quoted by his children, grandchildren and other loved ones.

Bob coached baseball and other youth sports in Cape Girardeau and was a long-time member of the Elks Club and Kimbeland Country Club. He found joy in spotting bald eagles flying over Horseshoe Lake, reading Mark Twain, the taste of medium-rare filet, singing in the shower, celebrating a Cardinals' win, driving through the mountain west and knowing his three children found loving spouses.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his four sisters, Jean Burchfield, Lora Mae Meeks, Mary Louise Sweet and Doris Bone.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jane Maxwell; daughter, Sarah (Rob) Ross of Cape Girardeau, son Rob (Gina) Maxwell of Peachtree City, Georgia, daughter Lesli (Joshua du Lac) Maxwell of Silver Spring, Maryland; grandchildren Mary Beth Ross, Tyler (Ashley) Schrama, Madison Schrama, Mitchell Maxwell, Miles du Lac, and Ellis du Lac; and great-granddaughter Aurora Schrama.

Friends may gather for graveside services at 10 a.m.,Thursday, at IOOF Cemetery near Charleston. The Rev. Joe Mooney of the First Christian Church of Charleston will officiate.

McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to The Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702, or donate online at www.centralusa.salvationarmy.org/midland/capegirardeau/.