Maxwell Sidner, Jr.

Maxwell (Max) Sidner, Jr. Lt.Col. Ret. USAF, 93 of Athens, GA, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during the early hours of Wednesday morning, April 9, 2025.

Max was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Sidner, parents Maxwell Sidner, Sr. and H. Vivian (Scoby) Sidner of West Jefferson, Ohio, and sisters, Audrey (David) Sharp, Isabel (Paul) Kaiser, Eleanor (Holly) Sayre, Doris (Ed) Hayes, Margaret (Roger) Boydston, and IvaJean (Wendell) Webb. He is survived by his son Maxwell Sidner, III DVM and wife Laura, daughter Anne Sidner, and cherished granddaughter Rachael Sandlin as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Max was a veteran of the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for 22 years. Max served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War and was a fighter pilot during the end of the Cold War in the early 1970’s, where he flew F-111 jets. Max and Joan began their lives together at the stroke of Midnight on New Years Eve. After additional flight training schools, Max began his career at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines where Joan and their newborn son soon joined him. After the birth of their daughter, they returned to the states and were stationed at a small radar base in Calument, Michigan where he served as the base commander and sole pilot at the early rank of Captain. Following Calument, Max and family were stationed at KI Sawyer AFB, Michigan. Those were happy times, albeit very cold due to their October to May winter snow season. Following Michigan, Max and family were stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sun Praire, Wisconsin, Clovis, New Mexico, and finally ending his military career in the beautiful country of Great Britain United Kingdom at Upper Heyford AFB, Oxfordshire, England.

Upon his retirement Max and Joan settled in Upper Arlington, Ohio to be near his children who were attending college at The Ohio State University, as well as being close to his extended family who mostly resided in Ohio. Soon however, life led Max and Joan to Athens, GA with the intent to help their son with his Veterinarian clinics. Max spent many years keeping the books and payrolls for Max III, until his second retirement.

Max loved his God, his family, and his country. Max met Joan while he was finishing his education at The Ohio State University and it was love at first sight. They were married just 2 days shy of 70 years, before the good Lord took her home. Max was a devoted husband to his precious wife, and was her sole caretaker as dementia ravaged her mind and stole her memory. Yet he was faithful to the end of her life, often neglecting his own health needs so that he could take better care of her. He was a giving and loving father and grandfather who always made sure his family was well taken care of. He will be greatly missed by his family and by all who had the privilege to have known him.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 1, 2025 with visitation one hour prior at

LORD & STEPHEN’S FUNERAL HOME

4355 Lexington Road

Athens, Georgia 30605

706-546-1587.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home EAST has been entrusted with arrangements.