Art Maxwell

Art Vernon Maxwell, age 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 13, 2008. Art was born in Kanab, Utah, on January 24, 1916, to Charles Bennet and Josephine Anderson Maxwell. He was the eighth of ten children and the youngest son. He grew up in various communities in southern Utah and became a successful farmer until his new bride encouraged him to continue his education. He graduated with honors from USU in Civil Engineering in 1942. Art married his sweetheart JenaVee Williams in the St. George Temple September 3, 1940 before moving to Logan for school. After graduating, the little family moved to Salt Lake City for a few months, then to Green River, Utah, where he worked as an irrigation and drainage engineer for USGS for 13 years. Many of Art’s favorite memories were of the scout troop he led in Green River; he loved teaching these boys scouting and camping skills and swimming in the river. Moving back to Salt Lake in 1945, Art and Jen got involved with a group of young married couples that became known as &qoute;The Gang&qoute;. This group is still active, though fewer in number, after more than 60 years. Still with USGS, the family spent four months in Washington, D.C. on a special assignment. Art and partner Eugene Nielsen started their own consulting engineering firm in 1955 in Bountiful. Later, as Nielsen, Maxwell and Wangsgard in Salt Lake City, it became one of the premier civil engineering firms in Utah. The family, now with four children, moved to Bountiful in 1956, where Art became prominent in the community. He was involved in Kiwanis International for years, and he was professionally associated with Consulting Engineers Council CEC where he was national president in 1968-69. Art and Jen built a home in Farmington in 1981 near some of their children. Art sold his company and retired in 1985, though he continued consulting work for several years. Always active in the LDS Church, Art and Jen served a mission in Dallas, Texas in 1985-86 and later worked in the Bountiful Temple from 1996-2000. Other favorite callings Art held were Scoutmaster, Bishop’s counselor 15 years, High Councilman, stake clerk 13 years and singing in the Tabernacle Choir and in many ward choirs. Art has lived in Country Care Assisted Living Center since 2003 where he died peacefully April 13, 2008. Art is survived by Jen, his wife of nearly 68 years, his daughters Anita Major, Paula Jamison, and Shirleen Hayes Nelson, son Vernon Lee Carolyn, 20 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and sister LouElla Knight. He is preceded in death by three brothers, five sisters, and sons-in-law Max Major and Dean Jamison. The family would like to thank the compassionate employees at Country Care and Applegate Hospice for their loving care. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 19, at 2:00 p.m. in the Farmington South Stake Center, 695 S. 200 E. Friends and family may call from 6-8 Friday evening at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main in Bountiful, or from 12:30-1:30 Saturday at the church prior to services. Interment Farmington City cemetery.