Rest in peace, Max. You were very good to Kay and her children.   Ken  and I stood up with you two when you were married. You are together once again.

Max and Kay.  Kay and Max. Two great saints as parents and friends. From 1975  to 1979, they were my second parents. Sometimes they were my first parents. Jeff and I worked at Hy-Vee Marshalltown and we became fast friends. I loved hanging out in his basement man cave and playing rock albums on his perfect stereo system. We played loud at times, but Kay and Max rarely complained and always treated me like a son. Jenny was the kid sister - always poking around and asking 99 questions. ( has she changed? ) She loved her brother and he always protected her. We were the three amigos in those years. Max was the happiest husband and mentor. He was unflappable - always smiling and joking the minute he came home from work.  He made Kay his queen and she always came first. He was a precision craftsman in his garage woodshop. He made my tall four post queen bed from raw Iowa oak by turning 12 pieces on his lathe with muscle and precision. He made me a perfect rolltop breadbox that I still use daily in my kitchen.  If the measure of a man is how kindly he treats others and patiently helps others, then Max Thompson has a front row seat in heaven, next to his loving bride Kay.  I am so grateful for my many great years of love and laughs with Max, Kay, Jeff, and Jenny.