Richard Dixon Maynard

Richard Dixon Maynard was born on June 10, 1955 at Rex Hospital, Raleigh North Carolina. He is predeceased by Gerald Johnson Maynard and Mary Louise (Wall) Maynard longtime residents of Cary, North Carolina, grandson of Cyrus Dixon and Beula Maynard of Apex, and Pattie Wall of Raleigh.

He is survived by his son Alan Maynard (Kristen) and new grandson Gray Dixon Maynard, brother Peyton Maynard (Ellan), nephew Joel Maynard (Brooke), and niece Anna Maynard. He has numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and distant relatives from the Wall and Maynard sides of the family in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay area.

Soon after Richard was born Gerald and Mary Lou Maynard moved from Raleigh to Cary. At that time, it was a small town of 5700 people. The streets were unpaved in the nice new communities that were developing around a small downtown. Cary was halfway between grandparents in Raleigh and Apex.

The young family had a comfortable middle-class life typical of the post war greatest generation. Gerald worked as a nurseryman and Mary Lou worked for the Baptist State Convention. Richard grew up in a neighborhood where you could walk to school. There were lots of friends in the neighborhood. The summers were spent roaming outside. There were short trips downtown to the Ken Ben Dime Store and Ashworth’s Drugstore. It was an idyllic childhood where everyone knew your name.

The family had a small house on Page Street. Richard and Peyton shared a room until Richard became interested in drums and acquired a drum set. They added a new master suite to the house so the parents could move to the other end of the house and Richard would have his own room to play his drums. Richard worked with his dad and brother to take care of the grass and garden at his grandparents’ home and helped tend a large garden that Mr. Gerald would plant each summer. At the end of the season, the extended family would gather to freeze and preserve the harvest bounty.

During high school Richard was in the drum line for the Cary High School Marching Band. The band was much celebrated in the town of Cary and the town hosted Cary Band Day. Marching bands from all over North Carolina gathered each fall for a huge parade and field competition. The Cary Band was the anchoring band and usually the star of the show.

In high school Richard was close friends with Donald and Marty Cooper. Graduating together, they all enrolled at Appalachian State University, where they (over) enjoyed snow skiing and mountain life. Richard finished his college career at Campbell University with a degree in business.

Richard owes his career to a tuna fish sandwich. Richard was living at home after college when his uncle John helped him get a job at Carolina Builders, a large lumber and building materials supplier in Raleigh owned by Cliff Benson.

Richard’s dad would fix lunch for him to carry to work. He started at the Carolina Builders in the part of the company that resembled an air traffic control tower. Every day, he assembled and shipped hundreds of truckloads of materials all over the Raleigh and Wake County area. This job was stressful; the orders had to be right, and they had to be on time. One day, Mr. Benson visited the shipping area during lunch time. The tuna fish sandwich Richard was eating caught Mr. Benson’s attention. Richard shared half of his sandwich with Mr. Benson, and the connection ultimately led to his promotion to inside sales and later outside sales. He developed a large portfolio of builders. Over the following years Richard helped feed the growth of the rapidly expanding RTP area.

Richard was previously married to Carol Facey. They had one son, Alan Maynard. Richard was extremely proud of Alan. Alan also became a drummer. Karma! He followed in his Dad’s footsteps and became a member of the drumline for Athens Drive High School. Alan attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and later, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for Graduate School. Alan works in Television Post-Production with Trailblazer Studios in Raleigh.

Alan and Kristen live in Southern Wake County. They recently welcomed their first child, Gray Dixon Maynard to the world. The family was so happy that the proud grandad was able to hold his grandson in recent weeks. During his stays in the hospital, Alan and Kristen were able to facetime with Richard and Gray, providing joy and grace to Richard’s final days.

Richard retired from Stock Builders Supply a few years ago. He enjoyed playing golf, freshwater and saltwater fishing, and gathering with friends at old haunts like Dallas Famous Chicken n’ Biscuits. In a wild twist of fate, he won a huge sum playing the NC Lottery. He had stopped by a convenience store to get lunch, and purchased a scratch off ticket. His son Alan didn’t believe him until he sent Alan a picture of the large novelty check from the Lottery office! He promptly bought a new truck, satisfying a long-held wish.

Alan stood by his very private dad throughout his illness. Richard was grateful to Alan for the support and care that he provided. His love for and dedication to his dad was admirable.

Richard Maynard will be remembered as a hard worker, an affable golf mate, a most excellent father, and a man with a love of good stories and friendly camaraderie. He was steadfast and kind to his friends and will be greatly missed.

A service of remembrance will be held at Apex Funeral Home, 550 West Williams Street in Apex on December 2nd at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission conservation program. https://www.ncwildlife.org/donate

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