Maxwell Simms "Max" Maddox, Jr.

Maxwell Simms "Max" Maddox, Jr., 81, died on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-East in Memphis, Tennessee.

Born Monday, July 10, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Maxwell Simms Maddox, Sr. and the late Margie Heckle Maddox. 

Mr. Maddox was the longtime owner of Maddox Sales Company, serving as a manufacturers’ agent, and remained actively involved in his work until September 2025. He attended the University of Mississippi and Southern Methodist University before graduating from Memphis State University, joking that he “kept the same colors and the same letters” throughout his undergraduate years.

A proud veteran, Mr. Maddox honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His love for the outdoors was well known. He was an avid hunter, especially enjoying quail hunting, and was a member of both the Memphis Gun Club and the Dyersburg Gun Club. He also loved fishing—both freshwater and saltwater—golfing with friends, and was a member of The Farms in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

Mr. Maddox treasured time spent with his family, particularly on ski trips across the United States and Canada, where many cherished memories were made, including the special moment when Jenna skied for the first time. At heart, he was always “a kid,” joyfully supporting his children and grandchildren at every sporting event and activity they participated in. A devoted Ole Miss fan, he attended many games over the years, including the Ole Miss playoff game on December 20.

A lifelong Methodist, Mr. Maddox was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee, where he was a member of the Koinonia Sunday School Class.

A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Maddox will be held at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Officiating this service will be Rev. Steven Lefebvre. Visitation for Mr. Maddox will be held on Wednesday from 2:30 PM until 4:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of thirty-five years, Sally Whitnel Maddox of Dyersburg, Tennessee; three sons, Scott Maddox (Kim) of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Clay Maddox  and Jim Curry (Angela) of Millington, Tennessee; one  daughter, Mary Frances Curry of Dyersburg, Tennessee;; one brother, Wes Maddox of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, one sister, Laurelle Dodd (Steve) of Carrollton, Texas and he was "Gege" and "Granddaddy to his three grandchildren, Cooper Maddox of Denver Colorado, Molly Maddox of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and Mary Virginia "Jenna" of Clarksville, Tennessee.

The family requests that memorials, in lieu of flowers, be directed to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, First United Methodist Church, 100 McGaughey Street, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Maxwell Simms "Max" Maddox, Jr.

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