Max Towell, age 94, of Ogallala died January 6th, 2016, at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala. Max Alfred Towell was born January 3, 1922 in Midvale, Idaho. His grandparents were among the original settlers who moved out west on the Oregon Trail, settling in Idaho in the 1800's. The youngest of eight children, Max attended school in Midvale and worked on the family farm. He served in the Army for two years during WWII before being discharged in 1946 and moving back to Idaho. On May 22, 1948 Max was united in marriage to Viola Ellen Kirk in Nashville, TN and they made their home in Idaho. In 1950 the couple moved to Nashville where Max attended David Lipscomb College, preparing for a career in ministry. After his graduation, they moved to Dixon, KY and served the Church of Christ in Dixon for the next four years. In 1956 they moved to Aberdeen, SD and spent the next 13 years serving churches in Aberdeen and Huron. Max enjoyed construction and together with his brother-in-law helped with construction of church buildings in South Dakota. The family moved to Ogallala in the Spring of 1969 where Max was the minister at the Ogallala Church of Christ until his retirement in 1987. Through the years, Max and Viola opened their home to numerous foster children. After his retirement they enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and making room in their hearts for 13 grandkids. For many years after retirement, Max was still very active in the church and community as a leader, Bible class teacher, inspiration, mentor and friend. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying spring and summer evenings fishing at Lake McConaughy and in autumn and winter hunting deer, pheasant and waterfowl. He looked forward to meeting old friends out on the rocks on the face of the dam on a summer's evening. Many lifelong friendships began at the fishing hole or on hunting trips. Max gained local notoriety in 1989 for catching a world record striped bass which is still being used today by the Chamber of Commerce to promote Lake McConaughy. He was a gardener, raising a large garden every year which he shared with neighbors and friends around town. In later years he enjoyed going to garage sales. He will be remembered by many for his deep faith which he shared gently and freely with everyone he met, his country wisdom, easy smile, gentle good nature, and kind spirit. Max was preceded in death by his wife Viola in 1999, five brothers, a sister, and one great-grandson Abel Spong. Survivors include his children: Elaine (Roger) Armstrong, Max (June) Towell, and Lois (Keith) Brown, all of Ogallala; and Jay Towell of Red Cloud, NE. One brother: Rex (Vera) Towell of Midvale, ID; Sister-in-law Elma Towell of Weiser, ID; Brother-in-law Lenard Kirk of Lawrenceburg, TN, and special friend and neighbor Rosie Thye of Ogallala. Thirteen grandchildren: Carey (Tim) Kercher of San Diego, CA; Amanda (David) Pfeiffer of Frederick, CO; Adam (Autumn) Armstrong of Oak Creek, CO; Brock (Audrey) Towell of Coeur d'Alene, ID; Cody (Rebecca) Towell of Ogallala, NE; Season (Coy) Gager of Ogallala, NE; Dustin Towell of Ogallala, NE; Joshua Brown of Lusby, MD; Caleb Brown of Ogallala, NE; Alyssa Brown of Ogallala, NE; Erica (Ben) Berry of York, NE; Cami (Aaron) Spong of Firestone, CO; and Nathan (Kameryn) Towell of York, NE. 15 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. The Funeral Service will be Saturday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Ogallala Church of Christ with Bobby Brueggeman and Jim Howard officiating. Interment is in the Ogallala Cemetery with military honors by the Nebraska Military Funeral Honors Team with Nebraska National Guard. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.