Craig Alan Maxwell, 57, died Nov. 24 in Coupeville. He was born in Seattle on June 10, 1948 to Elmore and Bernice (Strohm) Maxwell. Craig met the love of his life, Brenda Irene Nelson in March of 1963 at Ballard High School and they became childhood sweethearts. After graduation in June 1966, Craig left for Basic Training with the U. S. Coast Guard in California. That December he came home to marry Brenda. They eloped to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Dec. 20, 1966.
Craig’s first duty station was the U.S.C.G. Station, Toledo, Ohio, where he was involved in Search and Rescue on Lake Erie. Two years later he was transferred to Sandusky, Ohio. Other duty stations included Astoria, Oregon and service aboard the USCG Iris and USCG Cactus. One tour of duty station sent him and his family on semi-isolated duty on Turn Point Light Station in the San Juan Islands where he was Officer in Charge. Later he was transferred to the USCG Cutter Point Bennett, where he was the Executive Officer.
In 1975, Craig’s duty station was as Sand Point Marine Safety Investigation Officer. The last tour of duty was at Portland, Maine, where he continued in Marine Safety and Investigations. Craig was medically discharged from the Coast Guard due to service connected injuries, on Oct. 31, 1985 as a CWO-3.
The Maxwells retired to Whidbey Island in 1990. Craig was a collector of classic cars and soon became friends with several other classic car owners and together they formed the Whidbey Cruzer’s Car Club. Craig’s true passion was for classic cars and a very cherished 1967 Camaro RS, which was left to him by his mother after her death.
Craig is survived by Brenda, his loving wife of 39 years, at the family home, Coupeville; by three children and their spouses: Rodney and Stefanie Maxwell of Everett, Jason and Patricia Maxwell of Snohomish and Tracy and Brian Linson of Coupeville. Five beautiful grandchildren, Kali, Zoey and Kaleb Linson of Coupeville and Nathan and Sydney Maxwell of Everett and one sister, Patricia Ross of Everett and his mother-in-law Elma Nelson of Oak Harbor also survive. His mother, father, one brother James Maxwell and an infant sister preceded him in death.
Memorial services for Craig Maxwell will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. at Living Hope Foursquare Church, Coupeville with Pastor Garrett Arnold officiating. Full military honors will follow under the auspices of the U.S. Coast Guard. Cremation was held with burial to follow at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funderal Chapel, Oak Harbor.
