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Stephen Lynn Maxson, 81-year-old Afton resident, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. He was born on January 10, 1945, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Russell and Eva (Stine) Maxson. He was raised and attended school in Coffeyville, and the Oklahoma Military Academy. Steve served his country in the United States Marine Corps from May of 1963 to April 3, 1964, when he was honorably discharged as Private First Class. Steve worked as a stunt double for Steve McQueen in several movies. He was a past Senior Commander of the Oklahoma Marine Corp League, also founder and Commander of the LCpl Gabe Clevenger-Detachment 1355. Steve was inducted into the Bull Riders Hall of Fame in 2016. Steve worked in many capacities in his life, including plumbing, Culligan Water Sales, and Bull Riding. He enjoyed traveling, being on the water and boating. His favorite story to tell was his own life story. Steve also done Toys for Tots, with his Marine Corp League, owned a figure 8 racetrack in Baxter Springs, worked as a fight promoter, and owned several racehorses. Steve married Linda (Phillips) Maxson on October 16, 1992, in Miami, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Douglas Maxson and a sister, Barbara Webber.
The family include his wife Linda of the home; children, Troy Maxson and girlfriend Vandy Lavelle, Sam Maxson, Stephen Maxson and wife Mykaela of Welch, Chad (Maxson) Sooter and wife Jordan, Rhonda McFarlin and husband Danny, Stacie Lawless, Sarah (Maxson) Kirby and husband Lane; twenty three grandchildren including, Braylee, Colt, Hiram, Kutter, Lariat, Steely, Matt, Stephanie, and Gage Maxson, Mollie, Samantha, and Emajo Maxson, Grant and Gracie Lawless, Tommy and Kyle McFarlin, Noah, Jesse, and Koda Sooter and five great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita.
Casket bearers will be Chad Sooter, Austin Brown, Chris Kerby, Aaron Mullins, Chad Starr, and Lane Kirby. Honorary bearers will be Larry Duke, Tony Freeze, Dale Rexwinkle, Rudy Botello.
The celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita with Pastor Charles Clevenger officiating. Interment and Military Rites will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Edna, Kansas. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. “Vinita’s only locally family owned and operated funeral home.”
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