Max Walker Wells' Obituary
Max Walker Wells, the personification of a trusted public and city servant, a loyal, devoted husband and father, a banking pioneer and leader, passed away October 6, 2022, at the age of 88.
Born in 1933, Max grew up in Oklahoma City, OK, graduated from The Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!); he was proud of his wings and service as a navigator in the Air Force. In 1959, following his time in the military, Max moved his family to Dallas because he saw the city as a great opportunity and place for growth. He began investing and participating in the community immediately.
Max Wells was a thoughtful and compassionate decisionmaker who helped Dallas become an even better city. He was appointed to the Dallas City Council in July 1988, after having served on the city’s foremost boards and commissions, including the DART Board and the City Plan Commission. Max was later elected to the City Council, serving until 1997. In his final two years, Max was the Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas, a position of trust, elected by the entire Council, since the Pro Tem would assume the mayor’s duties should that person be unable to serve.
Max also impacted the local banking industry when he and his partners purchased the former Energy Bank, at Greenville Ave. and University Blvd., in 1985 from the FDIC. He led the newly named Oaks Bank and Trust with an emphasis on building relationships through trust and approachability. He knew some people think bankers are intimidating, but Max loved his work because he could see the possibilities of helping neighbors, neighborhoods and small businesses grow. Regularly, Max invited customers into his office just to chat.
Oaks Bank and Trust was named as one of the Top 25 best community banks in the nation for 10 years straight. In 2005, the bank was acquired by Sterling Bancshares. Previously, Max founded and led Prestonwood National Bank, and he held executive positions at numerous banking institutions throughout Dallas.
Max believed public service fulfilled an individual’s life and purpose. He wanted to serve on the Dallas City Council because he “thought he could make a difference,” and he did. He guided the Council through grueling budget debates, and he was steadfast in his passion for parks in North Dallas. Max was proud of his work to establish a new recreation center at Campbell-Green Park in Far North Dallas. He also served on the city’s Finance Committee and the first-ever Business and Commerce Committee.
After he left the Council, Mayor Laura Miller, in 2003, asked Max to assume the chairmanship of the DFW Airport Board. The airport is one of the region’s most important economic engines, and Max had served on that governing board since 1998. The aviation industry was still reeling from 9/11 and the nation was at war in Iraq, but the board had to confront critical growth issues for the airport. Max’s steady guidance, accompanied by a healthy dose of patience, perseverance and foresight helped guide leadership to approve the largest bond sale ever for DFW International Airport. The capital program produced the international Terminal D, a new train system and other vital infrastructure improvements at DFW.
Other key civic positions Max held over the years included serving as the President of the Texas Municipal League, Chairman of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Dallas Historical Society.
Max’s lifetime of service was capped by his chairmanship of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board. Appointed by Mayor Mike Rawlings, Max served in the position until 2017. During this time, he helped facilitate the creation of additional downtown park spaces.
For 56 years, Max was married to Margaret who preceded him in death in 2011. He is survived by his two sons, Mark and Chris, their wives, Becky and Betsy, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and his sister, Joan Holland and her husband, Chris.
He is also survived by his loving wife Martha, whom he married in 2012, and her two children, Duncan and Amy Kimmerling. With Martha, he traveled to 24 countries on five continents and supported the Dallas Museum of Art, The Dallas Opera, the Dallas Symphony, and the President’s Council of UT Southwestern Medical School.
The family wishes to thank Luz Bueno of the Visiting Nurses Association and caregiver Juanita White for the compassionate care they provided to Max in his final years.
A memorial service will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church at 8011 Douglas Ave., Dallas, TX, 75225 October 14, 2022, at 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parks for Downtown Dallas (parksfordowntowndallas.org); Turtle Creek Association (turtlecreekassociation.org); or Turtle Creek Conservancy (turtlecreekconservancy.org).
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