John “Max” Edgar

March 27, 1932 – September 24, 2023

John Max Edgar was born March 27, 1932, in Beverly, Kansas. He passed away on September 24, 2023, at the age of 91.

Max was born during the Great Depression to John Henry Edgar and Evelyn Pearl (Copeland) Edgar. They moved from Kansas to Perry, Oklahoma, for work, when he was two. His father was a teacher while his mother (formerly a teacher) took care of the home, children, and the Perry Electric Hatchery they owned. As he grew, Max was involved with basketball and football. During this time of playing sports, the soldiers from WWII came home to obtain their high school diplomas. These soldiers were so much older and bigger that Max decided he wanted to play his trombone in the school band. Max ended up becoming the Perry High School drum major.

Max also obtained his Eagle Scout and served in ROTC throughout high school and college. After graduating from Perry High School, Max was accepted into Oklahoma University (OU). His big sister, Evelyn, was already attending OU. Max enjoyed his time at OU and ended up being President of the OU Engineering Club. Upon graduating, he was hired by Standard of Texas (Chevron). However, he needed to fulfill his obligation to serve our military in the Army Corps of Engineers. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Chevron held his position for him.

Max enjoyed Chevron and moved up the engineering ranks. While working at Chevron, he moved several places around Texas and New Mexico and did overseas work in Venezuela, Trinidad, and western Australia. Max was one of the engineers on the first offshore drilling platform in western Australia. During his career, Max eventually ended up in Midland, Texas, where he left Chevron and went to work with Bass Enterprises. Max retired at 57, so he was retired almost as long as he worked.

Max met his wife (Virginia Matthews) at Perry High School. They dated for 5 years. Max and Virginia were married on September 5, 1953. They had three children, Dawn Renee, John Carl, and David Craig. Max enjoyed his family and church activities. His past-time hobbies included restoring old furniture, working on cars, and tinkering on anything that was broken. No handyman was ever called to their house as he could fix just about anything. Upon retirement, he started working on old clocks. He always had a project going. Max was also an avid golfer and enjoyed playing golf nearly all of his adult life.

Max was always active with their children. He taught his sons how to work on furniture, cars, etc. He loved to see his boys play sports. Max helped keep up with all games and activities his children were a part of during these years. Of all the places they lived, they experienced all they could at each location. So many museums, monuments, anything historical, art galleries, even an opera, and a political campaign rally. Let’s not forget about all the junk/antique stores. Max took their children camping for 2 weeks every summer. The children have so many adventures and mishaps to remember.

Max loved to travel but loved mountains the most. One of his favorite places was Cloudcroft, NM. He took his family there many times through the years.

Max was fortunate to love again after Virginia’s death in 2000. He attended his 50th class reunion at Perry High School and reunited with his childhood friend, Leora Eppler. Leora was born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma. They married on December 28, 2002. Both loved to travel and bought a motorhome together. They traveled from coast to coast and overseas. These two have many childhood memories and created new memories on each trip. They really enjoyed this time in their lives. When Max started having health issues, Leora was always by his side and took very good care of him till the end.

Max was a quiet man. His words were thoughtful and meaningful. He loved the Lord and was an example of what it means to live a good Christian life.

Max is survived by his wife, Leora Edgar; 3 children: Dawn Haro and husband Harold, John Edgar and wife Jennifer, and Craig Edgar. Max has 12 grandchildren: Rachel, Amanda, Josh, Shannon, Karra, Jessica, Jaden, Michael, Andi, Hadley, Adrian, and Finley; 9 great-grandchildren: Joshua, Gavin, Julia, Ava, Austin, Maya, Brigid, Clair, and Winston; one great-great-grandchild, Lily; 3 cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Evelyn and Ellen and one great-grandson, Camron.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Habitat for Humanity in Max’s honor.