Simon (Jack) Ettedgui Maxwell passed away peacefully at home March 11 after a long illness at the age of 68.
Simon was born July 6, 1951 in Casablanca, Morocco. Simon’s father, William Maxwell Jr., served in the U.S. Air Force, and during Simon’s youth the family was assigned to bases in both the U.S. and abroad, most notably Guam and K.I. Sawyer AFB near Detroit, the two assignments of which Simon had the fondest memories.
Simon received his Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, and he held two master’s degrees: a Master of Arts degree in sociology from UCM, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Before making a transition to public administration in 1986, Simon worked as an instructor for Wichita State University (1976-1979), for Longview Community College (1980-1985), and for DeVry University (1984-1986). At DeVry, Simon began a career in administration that spanned the next 20 years, as the Dean of General Education (1986-2005). Simon continued his work in administration by accepting a position at Baker University as the Associate Dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies (2005-2007). Simon retired from Baker in 2012, where he drew his tenure to a close as the Vice President for Information Technology and Associate Dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies.
Having been mentored by his father, who was an experienced outdoorsman, Simon developed a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and boating. He enjoyed these activities with close friends and family until the last year of his life, and he often recalled treasured memories of hunting and fishing with his father. This summer would have marked Simon’s 30th year at his favorite fishing hole, Pipestone Lodge, in Emo, Ontario, Canada, where he enjoyed dropping a line with close friends and family, and where he crafted many Pipestone friendships.
Simon met his beloved wife Gloria of nearly 40 years while both were graduate students at Warrensburg. After they graduated, a chance meeting at a tavern in Westport put them together again, and they married in 1976. Their shared interests included a passion for history, books, research, music, travel, and dogs; they were not without at least one Scottish Terrier in the course of their marriage.
Simon valued learning, and friendships, and he nurtured both throughout his life. Conversations and good meals shared with friends brought him particular pleasure; he himself could put together a top-drawer skillet supper or a fine shore lunch, and credited his mother for first putting an iron skillet in his hand and telling him to “Get to it.”
Simon’s greatest venture was a trip to Iceland with close friends in 2016; he was relentless in his planning and research for this trip, and as a more than competent photographer, he took hundreds of beautiful photos of the countryside. Inspired by this trip, Simon had thought to travel to his birthplace of Casablanca, Morocco; even after he became ill, he entertained this notion.
Simon was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; their son, David Lee Maxwell; and Simon’s father, William Maxwell Jr.
He is survived by his loving mother, Yamna Ettedgui Maxwell, of Colorado Springs; devoted siblings Sandra Maxwell, Colorado Springs; Ron and Lola Maxwell, Edmond, Oklahoma; James Maxwell, San Francisco; Shelia Maxwell Kistler and Steve Kistler, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children, all of whom knew, or knew of and admired, their legendary “Uncle Jack.” Simon is also mourned by Gloria’s brother, Mark Young and his wife, Cindi, of Eugene Oregon, and their children and grandchildren; by Gloria’s son, Geoff Snapp, Austin, Texas and sons Gavin and Koby; and by Gloria’s daughter, Lisa Snapp McCauley, Libertyville, Illinois and her children, Connor, Shannon, and Dylan.
A cadre of close friends who have good stories to tell about time spent with Simon (Jack) will miss sorely conversations with him, and the much-anticipated seasonal fishing and hunting trips. Holding him close to their hearts always are loving friend and caregiver Donna, and her granddaughter, Anabelle, who shared with her “Jack-a-Roo” a similar disposition and a love of books, and whom he embraced as his own and doted upon.
A private memorial service will be held for family members at a later date. As a Missouri resident and outdoorsman for more than four decades, Simon had the highest regard for the state’s Department of Conservation, and supported it in numerous ways because of its commitment to educate and encourage residents toward responsible use of Missouri’s resources. To honor his respect for this organization and his passion for the outdoors, the family thanks you in advance for donations in Simon’s name to the Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Foundation, online at https://mochf.org/donate-online or at PO Box 366, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65102-0366.
