MAXWELL, J. Patrick Entered peacefully into eternal rest, surrounded at home by his loving family on October 9, 2011. A prominent businessman and retired USAF Colonel, Pat was a faithful member and church leader at Woodmont Baptist and Forest Hills Baptist in Nashville, where he served as Sunday School teacher and Deacon. He was born October 26, 1921 in Pleasant Hill, AL. He graduated from Carlowville High School near Selma, AL, attended Auburn University for two years before enlisting in the Army Air Corp in December 1941, immediately after Pearl Harbor. As a member of the "Greatest Generation", Maxwell was a combat fighter pilot, assigned to the 78th Fighter Group in the European Theater of Operations, where he flew 133 combat missions in his P-47 Thunderbolt. He provided fighter escort in his "War Eagle" emblazoned P-47 for Allied bombers over Germany and German occupied countries in Western Europe. In addition to escort missions, Maxwell provided dive-bombing and the strafing of enemy targets in support of ground operations over France in 1944, prior to and following the D-Day Offensive. He also served two years in the Korean conflict. Highly decorated, his military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, the European Theater Operations ribbon with 4 Battle Stars and other various service ribbons. On a recent trip to Normandy in France, he was honored by the French Dignitary and received the Medal of Honor for accomplishments. He retired as Colonel from the USAF following 22 years of active and reserve duty. He was a member of The Middle TN WWII Fighter Pilot Association and was a contributing author of Missions Remembered, a book of collected stories by WWII fighter pilots. Maxwell also had a decorated business career in the Real Estate and Mortgage departments of Prudential Insurance and The National Life and Accident Company. He was President of InteReal, and Maxwell Financial. Maxwell held professional membership in the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Nashville Board of Realtors. He was a recipient of the prestigious Ronald F. McRoberts lifetime achievement award from the Life Mortgage and Real Estate Officer's Council. This was one of the most rewarding moments of his life. Active in community affairs, Maxwell was a Past President of the Downtown Exchange Club and the Nashville City Club. He was a past officer of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and a member of Richland Country Club. Maxwell was an avid bird hunter, as well as an active tennis player and golfer. His leadership and mentoring as a Sunday School teacher at Woodmont Baptist Church in the "Young Married" department was instrumental in providing spiritual direction for countless couples in the Nashville area and their families. He was a "Balcony Person" to everyone he met and that legacy will continue. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Ruth Culbreth Maxwell. Survived by family, son, Dr. G. Patrick Maxwell and his wife Stephanie; daughter, Rosemary Maxwell; grandchildren, Michael M. Hitchens and husband Hayes of Asheville, NC, Andrew A. Nixon IV and wife Allison of Franklin, TN, Elizabeth M. Nixon of Greensboro, NC, Julian P. Maxwell of Nashville, TN; great-grandchildren, Hunter Hitchens and Alexandria K. Nixon. A Homegoing Memorial Celebration will be held at Forest Hills Baptist Church, 2101 Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville, beginning at 11 a.m. today, preceded by a visitation from 10 a.m. until time of the service. A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park on Thompson Lane in Nashville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Community Foundation of Middle TN, 3833 Cleghorn Ave., Ste. 40, Nashville, TN 37215. Funeral arrangements made by AUSTIN FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES. Sign online guestbook at AustinFuneralService.com. (615) 377-0775.