Louis Maxwell dies at age 89
By Steve Herring
Published in News on July 11, 2016 1:46 PM
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James Louis Maxwell Jr.
James Louis Maxwell Jr., civic leader and businessman who helped build his family's business into a leader in the hog and turkey industry, died Sunday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
He was 89.
Maxwell was chairman of the board of Goldsboro Milling Co. The family-owned business is involved in many ventures including hogs, real estate, poultry and Butterball, LLC.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at his home, 711 Lake Shore Drive.
A private graveside service will be held at the Maxwell Family Cemetery.
Funeral services are being handled by Seymour Funeral Home.
Maxwell was a pioneer, said state Rep. Jimmy Dixon of Mount Olive, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
"He was one of the original folks who understood how important agriculture is not only to eastern North Carolina, but to the entire state," Dixon said. "He was one of a group of pioneers as far as livestock agriculture is concerned.
"His generation established a pattern worth being emulated -- work, industry, thrift, self- reliance -- that has helped make agriculture our No. 1 industry in North Carolina."
Bill Bryan, executive chairman of Mt. Olive Pickle Co., said he had learned a lot from Maxwell.
"I have had the great privilege of knowing Louis and his family for many decades," Bryan said. "Louis was a great businessman, family man and sportsman. It has been a privilege to call him my friend.
"His vision for his business has had a huge impact on eastern North Carolina and the hog and poultry business. He was just a fine man, and Wayne County has lost a great citizen."
Maxwell's death is a "huge" loss to the community, said Wayne County Commissioner Bill Pate, who also serves as chairman of the commission's Agriculture Advisory Committee.
"He meant so much to the community," Pate said. "Everybody appreciated what he did and what he stood for."
Maxwell was born in Goldsboro on Jan. 9, 1927, the younger of two children of James Louis Maxwell and Ruth Herring Maxwell.
A 1944 graduate of Goldsboro High School, Maxwell also attended Davidson College.
He served in the Navy during World War II.
After completing his military service, Maxwell attended UNC-Chapel Hill graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in commerce.
He married the former Mary Ann Jeffreys in 1952, and they have three daughters and a son.
Maxwell was preceded in death by his wife, and his sister, Effie Ruth Maxwell Pike.
He was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and an Eagle Scout.
Founded in 1916 by Maxwell's grandfather, the company originally produced corn meal and grits, and later poultry, hog and dairy feeds under the Diamond Feeds brand.
Most of the products were distributed through wholesale grocers and country stores. Early in his career Maxwell made the rounds of customers as a salesman of Diamond Feeds.
It is now one of the largest producers of hogs in the world and is major producer of turkeys as well.
The company recently donated $750,000 for naming rights for Wayne County's new agricultural and convention center.
A groundbreaking for the Maxwell Regional Agricultural and Convention Center is scheduled for 10 a.m. this Thursday.
Maxwell is a member of the North Carolina Poultry Hall of Fame. He was inducted in recognition of his numerous contributions to the growth and development of North Carolina and the poultry food industry.
He is also a member of the Wayne County Agriculture Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was founded in 1984 as a way to honor local residents who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture.
Selection criteria focus on outstanding contributions to agriculture in a managerial, leadership and voluntary capacity and their impact in the community
He is also a member of the Wall of Fame of the Wayne County Museum.
Maxwell has received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Boy Scouts of America National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and is a James E. West Fellow.
The Distinguished Eagle Award goes to a person who attained the Eagle rank while a Scout and has since given distinguished service in his profession and community for a period of at least 25 years.
The award was presented by Bryan, who said that Maxwell had far exceeded the national criteria set for the honor of becoming a Distinguished Eagle.
Maxwell was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.