Otis Allen Allen Maxwell Jr.

Born in Waco on November 24, 1915, Allen moved to Dallas at an early age. He attended Highland Park High School and received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Southern Methodist University where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Sigma. Torn between an interest in business and a love of books, Allen chose the books. He became the first paid employee of the SMU Press in 1939, where he was a protégé of the late John A McGinnis.

During World War II, Allen served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific where he rose from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander. He married Emma Virginia Dunlap (Vee) in 1940, and after the war they bought their first house and began raising a family. He returned to the SMU Press where he eventually became Director as well as Editor of The Southwest Review. In addition, he assumed Professor McGinnis’ former position as Book Editor of the Dallas News.

Active in working with Texas writers such as J. Frank Dobie and Roy Bedicheck through the Texas Folklore Society, Allen Maxwell would eventually see his name on 12 books as an editor or co-editor and he contributed to many more. He served twice as Vice President of the Texas Institute of Letters, and in 2007 was recognized for 61 years of uninterrupted membership.

A lifetime advocate of racial and religious tolerance, Allen considered the publication of Tom Gossett’s “Race in America” and Whitney R. Harris’ “Tyranny on Trial” by the SMU Press as two of his finest hours.

After retirement in 1984, Allen became a gentleman farmer at the “Lazy M” in Gilmer. He and Vee bought the property as raw land and turned it into a peaceful and beautiful oasis for riding and fishing as well as a going concern in the breeding of cattle and horses and for timber production.

Allen Maxwell was a member of University Park Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Ruth Sanders, Agnes Peters and Richard Maxwell. He is survived by his wife Vee; their three children, Otis Maxwell and wife Carol of Saratoga Springs, NY, Susanna Maxwell and husband Barry Lutz of Flagstaff, AZ, and Becky Saltwick and husband Steve of Austin, TX; their five grandchildren, Jamaica Maxwell and husband Nelson Mitchell, Sarah Saltwick, Eric Saltwick, Gratis Maxwell and Elijah Maxwell; and their great-grandson, Enso Maxwell Mitchell.

A memorial service will be held at University Park United Methodist Church 4024 Caruth Blvd. Dallas, TX. 75225 Friday, February 17, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.