Condolence: This is the note I put in Facebook on June 29th. I am so sorry I was out of town for the service, and I’m glad my youngest daughter, Nancy, was able to attend and represent me and my family. Sandra, Melinda and Stacy, and grandchildren, I share your grief. ——-

I have lost another good friend this year, my former airplane co-owner (or “partner”) Perry C. Maxwell, Jr. His widow, Sandra, called Thursday morning to give me the sad news that he had died from a massive heart attack while dining at a restaurant on Tuesday night.

I bought into my first aircraft co-ownership in 1974, spying a classified ad in the Dallas Morning News, passing muster with the partner who was going to continue to own that aircraft. In 1977 my original “partner” was transferred to Fort Worth and decided to look for a co-ownership opportunity there. He advertised his portion in the Dallas Morning News, and Perry answered that ad.

For various reasons, Perry and I hit it off pretty quickly, and bought a third partner out a year or so into our co-ownership. In 1980 we got a newer Piper Arrow than the one we had before, and in 1985 we bought our beloved Bonanza A36 together (which I still own). Many times pilot friends buy aircraft together and proceed to ruin their friendship over airplane issues. For us instead, we - two only children - made a wonderful friendship over our shared ownership of aircraft, having been strangers before entering into this arrangement. He loved the mechanical side of things and I kept the books and tried to keep us both current. We would have long talks and encourage each other in our various endeavors.

Over the years, Perry had some medical issues, and in 2005 he realized that he would either have a long delay in getting a special issuance medical or not get the medical at all. He really loved to fly, so I encouraged him to go the sport pilot route and just let his medical expire. He ordered a light sport aircraft, and after advertising his half for sale for a few months, I agreed to buy his portion in November 2005. Thus ended a “partnership” of over 28 years.

We didn’t talk nearly as often once this happened, but still would call each other and gab for awhile every so often, though the frequency dropped in recent years.

Perry was a special person to me, and I loved him and his family. I am going to miss his wit, insightful observations, and general conversations. I was lucky to have him as a fellow pilot, co-owner, and most of all good friend.

Condolence: I'm so sorry to hear of Perry's passing. He was a delight to visit with on his memories of Graham, Texas, and the Bell family. I enjoyed every opportunity to visit with him. Perry was passionate about helping people. Our love and sympathy to the family. Perry's going to be missed.

Condolence: I’ve known Perry for 46 years. He has been a great friend, mentor and associate. He and I have traveled, shared many meals and hunted together in work and pleasure. I’ll miss him.

Condolence: Thoughts and prayers go out to Sandra and family also to Perry's partners at Koelling. It was a pleasure to work with Perry, truly a great business man. He lived life to the fullest. That's how it should be done.

With many prayers,
Stephanie Berry

Condolence: I am very sorry to hear of Perry's passing. It was a pleasure to work with him as he represented STOBER. Thinking of the family and Koelling at this time.