Max Aldridge

    Maxie “Max” Dean Aldridge, 77, passed away on July 4, 2022, of natural causes.  Max has resided in Boerne TX for the past 8 years. 
    Max was born on April 18, 1945, in Lamesa TX to JD Aldridge and Wonnell (Cooper) Aldridge.
    Max graduated from Lamesa High School in 1963 and attended Texas Christian University.  In 1966, Max joined the United States Army and served in the 82d Airborne Division as an airborne infantryman.  He later attended Officer Candidate School at Ft Benning GA and pilot training at Ft Rucker AL.  Max served in Vietnam from June 1969 to June 1970 and flew combat missions as an OV-1 Mohawk pilot.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and 19 Air Medals.
    He married Mary Charlynn Staker of Lamesa in 1971 and moved to Sierra Vista. AZ where he was stationed at Fort Huachuca AZ.  Max and his family later moved to Seminole TX in 1975 where he began his career farming cotton and grain sorghum in Gaines and Andrews counties.  In 1989, he moved to Horseshoe Bay TX and worked as real estate broker. He later moved to Arlington TX as a commercial real estate broker for 20 years. 
    Max loved and cherished his family and longtime childhood friends and classmates who were with him to this day.  He was also active in the OV-1 Mohawk Association and attended annual reunions with his fellow Veterans and aviators.
    He is survived by his three sons, William Grant Aldridge and wife Toni, Jeffrey Norman Aldridge and wife Sarah, and Jay Dean Aldridge.  
    He is also survived by his two sisters, Gwendolyn Joy Aldridge, and Mary Jane Addison, along with his two grandchildren Ava Grace Aldridge and Aidan Jeffrey Aldridge and niece Sunny Gay (Addison) Blair and nephew Kameron Ty Addison. 
    He is preceded in death by his parents. JD and Wonnell Aldridge.
    A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Dawson County Cemetery located at 1010 CR 20, followed by a reception at Lamesa Christian Fellowship located at 201 N 22nd St. Arrangements will be under the direction of Branon Funeral Home. 
    Visitation will be on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 5:00-7:00PM at Branon Funeral Home.
    In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to Alliance Defending Freedom (https://adflegal.org) or to a charity of your choice. To send condolences, online please visit www.branonfuneralhome.com.
– Press-Reporter obituary services