Max Helmuth Mays was born on July 11, 1915 in Waverly, Kansas to John and Alma (Mietchen) Mays. Max passed away on March 2, 2011 at the Weisbrod Memorial Nursing Home in Eads, Colorado at the age of 95, with his family by his side.

Max and his family moved to Kiowa County , Colorado in 1916, and homesteaded 9 miles southeast of Eads.

Max married Edna Newsom and they had one son, Everett Max, who died in infancy. Edna was killed in a tornado, in which Max was injured in April of 1942.

He was inducted in the U.S. Army on December 23, 1942 and was assigned to the Batter A 467th Anti-Aircraft Battalion. After further training, he embarked for England with his company, Anti-Aircraft Automatic Weapons. Max was a gunner on a halftrack. He was involved in the Normandy D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. He was in 5 major battles and campaigns including: Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe and earned the following medals: American Service, ETO Ribbon with 5 battle stars; World War II Victory; Good Conduct; and the Bronze Service Arrowhead. Max attained the rank of Corporal before being honorably discharged on December 6, 1945.

Max married Arline Jennings on April 27, 1946. To this union was born two daughters; Shirley Arline and Bonnie Sue.

Max was a longtime employee of the Kiowa County Road and Bridge crew.

He enjoyed playing softball, fishing, small game hunting, gardening and pitching horseshoes.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Edna and son Everett, his wife Arline and by 3 brothers; Carl, Herman and Willie. Max is survived by his daughters; Shirley (Ronald) White of Kit Carson, CO and Bonnie (Jerry) Rogers of Liberal, KS and by his grandchildren Annette White, Anita (George) Young, Kerry (Mindy) Rogers and Chris Rogers and by great grandchildren Rebecca and Keith Young and Kanyon, William and Makyra Rogers. Also surviving is one brother Johnny Mays of Agalalla, NE, sisters-in-law: Lois (Jennings) Stork, Oneta Jennings and Norma (Junior) Homan and by several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Eads with Pastors Richard Zabriskie and Nancy Peacock officiating. Charlotte Woelk and Love Liebl provided the instrumental music accompanying Gary Liesen and Mary Eikner as they sang The Old Rugged Cross and It Is No Secret. The congregation sang America The Beautiful as the service concluded. Pastor Zabriskies message was very pointed as he spoke about all the tragedy that Max had endured during his lifetime and the sadness and shock that Max had been a witness to during World War II. He reminded the family and friends that in spite of all of this, Max rose above it and had a very fulfilling and rewarding life. He spoke of the love that Max had for his family and the appreciation that Max had come to grips with regarding mortality. He spoke of how Max truly was a hero, yet a very humble man. Following the service at the church, the large gathering of family and friends processed to the Eads Cemetery where Max was laid to rest with full military honors provided by Kit Carson VFW Post #3411 and Cheyenne Wells VFW Post #9700. Serving as casketbearers were: Larry Watts, Bill Wilcox, Larry Michael, Pete Koch, Kevin Siefkas and Vern Harris. Honorary casketberarers were: Harvey Hollis, Gene Krueger, Don McDaniel and Gary Hart. Memorial contributions can be made to the Weisbrod Nursing Home Auxiliary in care of the Brown Funeral Home; Box 432; Eads, CO 81036. Friends and family can register online condolences and sign the guest book at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com. Visitation and funeral services were entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home in Eads, the exclusive service provider for veterans and family services.


What Makes A Dad...

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagles flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combines these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew his masterpiece was complete,

And so, he called itDad.