Lonnie Darro Maxey

Lonnie Darro Maxey, age 76, of Rogue River, died Saturday, January 30, 2016 at his home surrounded by family and friends.

Lonnie was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Vera Faye Mink. They moved to Southern California at a young age. At the age of 9, Mr. Glen Gailey came into his life, married his mom and raised him as his own. From 1958 to 1962 he served in the United States Navy. On March 13, 1959 in San Bernardino he married Nancy Kelly. Lonnie worked 16 years at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California. He later owned three different businesses. Lonnie sold cars and loved being a salesman; he was one of the honest ones. He longed to leave Southern California and always wanted to live in the mountains. They made a drive up to Oregon and found their new home. He moved from Bloomington, California to Rogue River, Oregon in 1990. He loved the rain and Southern Oregon was the perfect place for him.

Lonnie was an active member of both Valley Rogue Christian Center in Rogue River and Inland Christian Center in Southern California. While at Inland Christian Center he served as head usher and wore the tie that was required, only until the offering was taken. Lonnie enjoyed going out to eat with his friends from church.

In his later years he enjoyed going to the VFW on Wednesdays to visit with the other veterans.

Lonnie loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially loved to give them tractor rides around the farm in the tractor scoop. He also enjoyed John Wayne movies, fishing, church softball and coaching little league. He loved his dog, Molly.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Rogue River, Oregon; children, Jeff Maxey and wife, Melissa of Yucaipa, California, Kelly (Maxey) Oesterblad and husband Don of Leesburg, Virginia and Brad Maxey and wife, Julianna of Austin, Texas, daughter-in-law, Jeanie Maxey (wife of Scott Maxey who died in 2004) in Arkansas; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death was a son Scott Darro Maxey in September, 2004 and both parents.

A memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Valley Rogue Christian Center.