Max Lowell Seirer
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Max Lowell Seirer, 779th
18 January 2010
Max Lowell Seirer of Waco, Texas passed away Monday, 18 January 2010, at Providence Hospital. Max was born 18 August 1923, in Collyer, Kansas, to Parker and Ruth Seirer. He attended Kansas State University before entering the military on 7 December 1942. He was married to the girl of his dreams, Joy Campbell Seirer, who preceded him in death in September 2008.
Max entered the service as an aviation cadet and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in July 1944 as a Bombardier. He was assigned to the 464th Bomb Group in Italy where he flew combat in the B-24. On 26 December 1944, he was shot down during a raid over the oil fields in East Germany and declared missing in action. He returned to Allied control in February 1945, and subsequently returned to the States and separated from the service.
After a two year break from the service, he returned to active duty and was assigned in the South Pacific, where he flew combat missions over Korea in the B-29. His first stateside assignment was Randolph Air Field as an instructor Bombardier with training enroute at James Connally Air Field, where he met his wife, Joy. Later he was assigned to Strategic Air Command as a navigator/bombardier in B-47's. When the B-47 was retired, he was assigned to Tactical Air Command in Langley, Virg., when he flew C-130's as a navigator and was returned to Korea on special assignment during the Pueblo Crisis as a Tactical Staff officer. His last assignment was to Ching Chang Kang Air Force Base, Taiwan, where he flew combat missions in and out of South Viet Nam for one and a half years.
He retired in April 1970, after 27 years, 3 months and 24 days. His service career included three tours of combat, totaling 110 combat missions and was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and 17 other awards and decorations.
While in service he participated in many community affairs. He was a member of Lancasti Lodge No. 54 in Lincoln, Neb.; Masonic Lodge, Yangmingshan Chapter No. 5 Order of Eastern Star in Taipei, Taiwan; the Taipei Consistory for 32nd degree Mason, and the AFJFI Shrine Temple in Tacoma, Wash. Max was a member of Waco #92 Masonic Lodge where he served as Worshipful Master. He was a District Deputy Grand Master in 1990 and was a recipient of the Golden Trowel Award. He was a 32nd degree KCCH of the Valley of Waco Scottish Rite Bodies where he was a Past Wise Master of the Rose Croix. Max was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star where he served numerous times as Worthy Patron for the Walter Baldwin Chapter #929 in Waco and the McGregor Chapter #427. He was also a member of the Karem Shrine and served as State Commander of the Legion of Honor. He was past president of the Military Officers Association of America and National Sojourners Bob R. Scott Chapter. He was a member of Waco York Rite Bodies, VFW, American Legion and Military Orders of World Wars. He was employed by Spenco Corporation and taught at TSTC until he retired in 1992.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 57 years, Joy; three brothers and one sister. He is survived by his son, Willie Linden Seirer and wife, Elaine, of Reno, Nev.; daughters, Betty Bickett and husband, Bob, of Woodway, Texas; and Alice Connelly and husband, Michael, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Merne King of Denver, Colo.; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services were held at 1:00 PM. Friday, January 22, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Chapel where the Rev. David Shuttlesworth officiated. Burial followed at Waco Memorial Park. His grandsons served as pallbearers.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to St. Catherine Center, Providence Hospital Staff and Providence Hospice. Memorial may be made to Waco Scottish Rite Charitable Fund or the Shriners Children's Hospital, c/o Karem Shrine, 400 Karem Circle, Waco, TX 76712. The family invites you to visit their "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.