Max James Claybaker

Max James Claybaker passed away on November 24, 2021, at his home at the age of 89 years. Max James Claybaker was born on February 5, 1932, on a farm northeast of Blackwell, Oklahoma. He was the son of Arnold and Martha (Deffner) Claybaker.

He moved west of Blackwell to a fam at the age of four years where he resided until the time of his death. He attended a country school, Star District #44 for eight years. He then graduated from Blackwell High School in 1950. While attending Oklahoma A & M, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Nell Miller on August 31, 1951, Blackwell and they settled in Stillwater. Out of this union they were blessed with five children, Neal, Lynn, Janet, Kendall and Stanley.

He graduated from Oklahoma A & M College with a degree in agronomy in 1954. He also received a commission of second lieutenant upon graduation from A & M and served two years with the Corp of Engineers in the United States Army. Upon returning to the farm in 1956, he began an active farming career.

He was a certified seed producer for most of his life and combined those efforts with the distribution Pioneer Seeds to the Blackwell and surrounding area. He was active in the agri-business field during most of those years operating an aerial spraying business and retailing grain storage facilities. In 1985 he opened a crop insurance agency and put forth most of his efforts in that business until 2021. His wife preceded him in death on April 26, 2020, and he continued working and living on the farm.

He was a licensed pilot with an instrument rating and enjoyed flying for business and pleasure. During his life he was active in Kiwanis Club, United Fund, Blackwell Music Boosters, Blackwell Quarterback Club, and other civic organizations.

He was a member during his life of numerous Oklahoma State University associations and held office in many of them. He retired as president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Oklahoma in 1997. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell.

He taught Bible classes at Trinity for over fifty years and held numerous offices in that congregation. He is survived by his daughter, Lynn Franzmann and husband John; two sons, Kendall Scott Claybaker and Stanley Claybaker and wife Kendall; grandchildren, Steven and Bryan Loftis, Lauren Walker, Kameron, Trenton and Dylan Claybaker, and Katie Larsen and brother John; and great-grandchildren, Krew and Ryden Claybaker, Livy Loftis, Judah and Shiloh Walker and Cole Loftis.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Claybaker; a son, Neal James Claybaker; and a daughter, Janet Elaine Loftis.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 2nd in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Cap McIlnay of Tuttle Methodist Church and Rev. Daniel Rickman of Blackwell First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery. Viewing will be from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, December 1 at Roberts and Son Funeral Home. Casketbearers will be Max’s grandchildren, Steve Loftis, Lauren Loftis-Walker, Bryan Loftis, Kameron Claybaker, Trenton Claybaker and Dylan Claybaker. Honorary casketbearers will be Max’s Girls: Cindy Neymayer, Heather Scott, Crystal Golay, Robin Hughes and Luci Bonewell. A memorial has been established in his honor with the Blackwell Public School Foundation c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631. On-line condolences can be made at www.robertsandsonfh.com.