Maxie

Lambright

Maxie Lambright, 90, of Defiance, passed away Sunday, March 17, at Lima St. Rita's hospital after a short illness.

He was born September 15, 1928, in Bloomdale, Ohio, the son of Norman and Irvina (Pletcher) Lambright. On June 3, 1951, Maxie married Joan Grubaugh who preceded him in death, on November 27, 2011.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Patsy Prince Light.

Maxie is survived by three sons, Maxie Jay (Sarah) of Beachwood, Steven Michael (Kate) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Jeffrey Alan (Mary) of Bloomington, Indiana, four grandchildren, Michael, Rachel, Rebecca, and Kelsey, and one great-granddaughter, Winona Dove.

Maxie was a long-time educator, at both the secondary and post-secondary level. He retired in 1989 from the Defiance College where he served as Head Librarian and Assistant Professor of Education. Always a teacher at heart he mentored and counseled literally hundreds of student teachers, many of whom have then gone on to serve in local schools throughout NW Ohio. Prior to his time at the college he taught at both Blue Creek (Wayne Trace) and Continental.

His teaching was not confined to academia as he taught Sunday School for more than 50 years and was a 40 year member of St. Paul's United Methodist church in Defiance where he also served on the Administrative Board.

Maxie recently received recognition for his 60 years of Masonic service, both York Rite and Blue Lodge. He was a 3 time member of the national champion Ivanhoe Commandry Drill Team, based in Van Vert, Ohio.

Maxie's enduring passion was the Defiance College Yellow Jacket athletics program. He was faithful attendee, both home and away to all things DC, and a proud and sustaining member of the Defiance College Purple and Gold Club throughout it's entire existence. The Purple and Gold recognized his faithful fandom by naming him 2018's P&G Fan of the Year, an award he sincerely treasured.

The family wishes to express our thanks and appreciation to the entire staff, both present and past, of Glenn Park of Defiance. Both Maxie and Joan's care and support from all the staff at Glenn Park was always loving, kind, and first rate. Thank you, all.

We also wish to thank the following, the ICU staff at St. Rita's, the ER staff at Defiance Mercy, the staff and fellow worshipers at St. Paul's UMC, and especially his close friends and long time transportation support team, Mark and Keeta Diller, and Barb Sedlock.

A celebration of Maxie's life will be scheduled in the near future.

Any donations may be made to the DC Purple and Gold Club or a charity of the donor's choice.