James Maxwell Hargrove lived a long fulfilling life with his partner of 43 years.

He passed away on Sept. 17 and went home to heaven. Friends will be received at 10 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service held at the First United Methodist Church on Sept. 25 at 11 a.m.

Maxwell was born on Dec. 19, 1929, in Opp.

He moved to Clanton when he was 10, and attended Chilton County High School where he played football and had a talent for boxing.

In 1946, Maxwell entered the Middle Weight Golden Gloves competition at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham.

After winning several fights, he won the Golden Gloves Championship in 1946.

After graduation, Maxwell joined the National Guard and later joined the Air Force in 1950.

Over Maxwell’s 23-year career in the Air Force, he traveled around the world taking on multiple assignments including electronics supervisor, inspections supervisor for B29’s, B52’s, C124’s and the F4.

While on tour of duty in Korea, Maxwell was part of a B29 crew who refueled jet fighters over the 38th parallel in Korea.

In 1971, Maxwell retired from the Air Force and returned to Clanton where he met his future wife, Jearlyne.

They were married on Feb. 12, 1972 and began a long happy life together.

Maxwell enjoyed working at the church where he installed playground equipment, installed the chandeliers in the sanctuary, served as president of the Methodist Men and cooked on Pancake Day.

Maxwell was a devoted and caring husband, father and grandfather who dearly loved his family and was so proud of them. We are truly blessed with the many great memories over his 85-year life.

Surviving relatives include his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Jearlyne Hargrove of Clanton; daughters, Diane Dynan (Bob) of Yorktown, Va., Maxine Douglas (Gene) of Modesto, Calif., Vanessa Stufft (Jeff) of Olympia, Wash., son, John Owen (Lisa) of Clanton; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Yvonne McCormick of Trenton, Fla.; sister-in-law, Shelby Thompson (Fred) of Jacksonville, Fla.; brother-in-law, James Studdard (Carol) of Jacksonville, Fla.

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences for the family on the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.