Badgett, Max Richard

BADGETT, MILLER, BROWN, EVANS

Posted By: Lorelei Rusco (email)
Date: 11/24/2013 at 14:26:07

Badgett, Max Richard -
Max Richard Badgett was born July 5, 1910 in Corning, Iowa, one of four sons of King and Nora (Miller) Badgett. Max graduated from high school and went on to begin his lifelong vocation of farming the land.
On December 24, 1931, he was married to Ruby Crystal Brown in Omaha, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Phyllis.
All of Max's work revolved around farming. He was a member of the Soil Conservation Committee of Taylor County. He received a prestigious award for his efforts with soil conservation. He was a pioneer in such areas as no-till farming, seeding clouds to produce rain, using sorghum to feed cattle, as well as many other ideas. He was a top producer in raising cattle, and he raised chickens also. He also hauled cream for the Corning creamery. He was not afraid to take risks and try new methods.
One of the more memorable events during his life was when a tornado struck. Max helped save his brother's life. The top story of the house was lost and a barn was demolished.
Outside of work, Max loved to fish, hunt and camp.
For many years, he would spend the winters in Florida, first with Ruby then with Gerry.
During his lifetime, he experienced his share of loss. His first wife died July 4, 1980. In 1995, their daughter Phyllis died.
On October 22, 1980, Max married Geraldine Zona Evans. They were able to spend the next 17 years together until Gerry's death on January 6, 1998.
Max died April 10, 1998, at the North Kansas City Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 87 years, 9 months, 5 days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives, daughter Phyllis Sevier and brothers Roy and Rex Badgett. He is survived by his
grandchildren: Michelle Jones of Ankeny; and Michael Jones and his friend Judy Allen of Afton; a brother Wayne Badgett and wife Deloris of Prescott; and a sister-in-law Bonnie Manroe of Lenox; a step daughter Gerry Lee Coleman and her husband Robert of Kansas City, MO; a stepson Hal Hebert and his wife Carol of Denver, CO; and 4 step-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 13 at 3 p.m. at the Lenox United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Maxa officiating. Burial was in the Morgan Cemetery of rural Kent.
Serving as pallbearers were Gary, Larry and Jerry Badgett, and Ben and Rick Nelson. Kathryn Wilson as organist provided the musical selections of "In the Garden", "Amazing Grace", and "How Great Thou Art."
A memorial fund has been established in Max Badgett's name.
Coen-Beaty Funeral Home of Lenox was in charge of the arrangements.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 15, 1998