Max Tew

Ward Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory

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Posted by: Ward Wilson
[email protected]
3347924194
Date: Jun 13 2024 11:46 AM

Max Tew of Dothan, Alabama passed away 11 June 2024, in his home at the grand old age of 92.

Max was born at his family’s home in Taylor, AL and attended Rehobeth High School, where he graduated in 1950, having played on the first football team Rehobeth ever fielded. In high school, he met a lovely Dothan High School student named Ruthie Joe Barkley. That cutie would become his wife of 70 years. But first, Max felt the call of patriotism and joined the US Air Force, spending his first assignment as a heavy vehicle driver in the US occupation forces in post-war Germany. He returned home, and in 1954, made Ruthie his bride, promptly whisking her away to Texas for his next USAF assignment. Other assignments followed to Florida, Japan, The Philippines, Louisiana, and South Carolina. After a 21-year career driving heavy equipment, aircraft refuelers and as an administrative specialist, not to mention growing his family by having 3 sons and a daughter, Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Max Tew retired back to Dothan in 1971.

Clearly not understanding what the word “retire” means, Max immediately started a massive 50-sow hog farm south of Dothan, while simultaneously carving out a homestead on the 25 acres of land he inherited from his father.

For almost 20 years, Max supplied pork for the hams, sausage, and bacon that Dothan citizens so enjoy. The hog operation taught max and his kids the value of hard work, and the importance of good quality soaps and colognes. After the 4 kids took off on jobs of their own, Max again “retired” from farming and drove a big rig for the Whatley White trucking company. He loved seeing America from the seat of the 18-wheeler, traveling as he did in the Air Force. Ruthie was not as fond of him being on the road all the time so Max changed professions, securing a job that would allow him to be around the airplanes he adored.  He became head of grounds maintenance for the Dothan Airport, ensuring any flying visitor to Dothan received a beautiful first impression of the city. This was Max’s last full-time job as he finally retired to spending simply hours and hours each day managing his home and property.

He is survived by his wife, Ruthie Tew; sons, Phil Tew (Polly) of Nashville, TN, Ty Tew (Cathy) of Slocomb, AL, Scott Tew, Colonel, USAF (ret) (Nancy) of Fort Worth, TX; and daughter, Tina Dixon (Tommy) of Lynn Haven, FL. He has 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He passed in the home he helped build, surrounded by family and friends/caregivers, Revonda Sawyer, Orena Balles, Nastassia Thomas and the staff from Gentiva.

Max was a lifetime member of the Air Force Association and wished that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Air Force Aid Society, where 100% of your donation goes to help US Air Force members, their families, and retirees.

Funeral Services for TSgt Max Tew will be held at 10:30 A.M Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Scott Tew officiating. Military Honors will follow in the adjoining cemetery, Memory Hill. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the start of the service.

Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematory

2414 Hartford Highway

Dothan, Alabama 36305

334-792-4194

www.wardwilson.com

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