Gerald Omer Maxwell

Gerald Omer Maxwell passed away on October 8th, 2022, after living a full life of 90 years.
He was born in Baker City, Oregon, on September 29th, 1932, to Omer and Pansy (Long) Maxwell. He was raised and spent most of his life on his family farm, established by his grandfather in 1880, located outside of Haines, Oregon. Gerald grew up tending to the farm's gardens, fields, and many different animals and equipment. He transitioned from driving teams of horses to tractors. He showed livestock in 4-H and journeyed through all the ranks of the Boy Scouts to earn the prestigious Eagle Scout Badge. Gerald attended Muddy Creek School grades 1st thru 9th and then transitioned to the North Powder High School, where he earned his High School diploma in 1950.
After High School, he attended college at Oregon State University for a year. Then he decided to join the Coast Guard, where he served for three years. After his service, he continued his education at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, for another two years. During this time, he met and married the love of his life for 66 years, Farrell Adams. They met on the Stampede Hall dancefloor during the Elgin Stampede rodeo and were married on February 6th, 1956. After a short stint of living in Elgin and working for Farrell's father, Earnest Adams, they returned to Haines to work on the home ranch for Gerald's father, Omer, and Uncle Glen Maxwell. Gerald and Farrell purchased a small home with about 30 acres from Champ and Lois Bond, located about 1/2mile south of Gerald's family home where he grew up. Gerald and his father-in-law, Earn Adams remodeled and built a significant addition to the house during the late sixties to accommodate Gerald and Farrell's family of three children Cheri, Alan, and Marci. Farrell still lives in this same home today.
Gerald and Farrell eventually purchased the ranch from his father and uncle and raised their children with the same work ethics and experiences as Gerald had growing up. Gerald and Farrell provided their children with horses and taught them to ride. They involved their children in 4-H, FFA, Scouts, Rifle Club, and swimming at Radium Hot Springs. They regularly took their children on hiking, exploration driving, fishing, and hunting for birds, deer, and elk in the mountains. Gerald and Farrell purchased a boat and took their kids fishing, water skiing, and boating. They loved to take their boat, and eventually their motorhome, to the Snake River and other reservoirs.
Snow skiing was a large part of Gerald's life. He started at Little Alps Ski area helping Champ Bond with operations, then helped with the development of the Anthony Lakes Ski area in 1962. He became a proud member of the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol, where he made many lifelong friends. Some referred to him as Gerry. All the family became good skiers because they "had to go skiing" every weekend. Gerald ended his Ski Patrol service as Regional Director of the National Ski Patrol. Gerald served on several committees throughout his life, such as the Haines Cemetery Board, the Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Powder Valley Water Control District.
He was greatly involved in developing the NPRC- South gravitational pipeline system. For many years, Gerald contributed his time and cooking talent to the Haines 4th of July celebration and was honored to lead the parade as Grand Marshal one year. Gerald loved animals, especially his pets, and everything outdoors. He is now with the many family members and friends who passed on before him. And he will be missed greatly by those he has left behind.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Pansy(Long); his father and mother in law Earnest and Francis (Gilkeson) Adams; his son in law Frank (Cheri) Sanborn, his brother in law's Harold Hoye and John Ticknor; co-brother-in-law Marvin Erickson and step-grandchild Lana Sanborn.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 66 years, Farrell (Adams) Maxwell, his daughter Cheri Sanborn, son and spouse, Alan & Pam ( Scarbrough) Maxwell; and daughter and spouse, Marci & Billy Cunningham. All of his siblings also survive him, sisters Peggy Hoye and Belva Ticknor, and his brother Dewey with his spouse Bonnie Maxwell. Gerald was also blessed to be survived by two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and two foster grandchildren, seven-step and foster great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews with wonderful families.
Please join us in celebrating Gerald's life at 1 pm Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, at the Haines Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Haines Methodist Church reception hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Haines Methodist Church or Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.