C. Max Lykins, 84, of Albany, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

Max's story begins August 14, 1932 northwest of Gentry, MO, the only child of Raymond and Anna Lykins. He attended Black Oak School, a country school where he rode a contrary pony that bucked him off more times than he cared to share. They moved into Albany in 1943 so Raymond could open Lykins Truck and Tractor Company.

Max graduated from Albany High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University for a year and a half. Then in the midst of the Korean War, he decided to avoid the draft by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1952. During his Christmas leave in 1952, he came home to Albany and took a chance, proposing to his high school sweetheart Kathleen Davis, then a senior at Albany High School. Soon after her graduation they were married August 8, 1953 at Albany First Presbyterian Church. The couple then packed up and moved to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where they lived in a tiny trailer but enjoyed frequent trips to the beach. Max was a Navy Medic who was attached to the Marines. After four years of active duty he and Kathleen moved back to Missouri where he went to work for his dad's Lykins Truck and Tractor Company. He served four more years in the Navy Reserves and he was honorably discharged in 1960. Max then worked for American Family Insurance for nine years, before he and Kathleen purchased the Albany Western Auto store, where they managed the bustling business on the square.  He was hired as the Executive Director for the newly formed GCARC in 1980, where he stayed until his retirement in 1997.  He made a lasting impression and was well-liked by his clients and co-workers alike. During his time with GCARC, he began and oversaw a transitional home in Albany, and launched a second program called the Skills Development Center in Stanberry. Later a home was built in Albany for severely handicapped adults, the Intermediate Care Facility. It was sometimes challenging, but Max handled it with ease and made lots of friends along the way.  Max couldn't sit still for long and had numerous jobs after his retirement, including a school bus driver for the Albany School District, a Meals on Wheels delivery driver and a personal representative for special needs adults.  He most recently enjoyed greeting people at the Albany Community Center until December 2015.

Max never met a stranger, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a unique and playful sense of humor and liked to give his friends a hard time, always with a hearty laugh. In his younger days he enjoyed picking out a few country songs on his guitar, often accompanied by friends. He enjoyed countless hours of fishing, and camping when his kids were younger.  As the kids got older and the couple gained more freedom, he and Kathleen enjoyed numerous trips with lifelong friends around the country.  Family-time playing cards or pool or driving in the country pointing out where area landmarks once stood was also a favorite pastime. As he aged, when winter weather made outside time on the deck less achievable, he enjoyed putting together puzzles. He and Kathleen also played in a monthly pinochle card group that they immensely enjoyed.

He was a 50-year member of Athens Lodge No. 127, and active with his son in Boy Scout Troop 102, where he was an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-o-Say. He was a past member of the Albany Rotary, and an active member of Albany First Presbyterian Church, holding several positions such as deacon, elder and treasurer.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Anna Lykins, his son, Christopher Davis Lykins, and granddaughter Serenity Hope West.

Max leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Kathleen; daughter Julie Spohrer (John) and granddaughter Emily; son Eric Lykins (Sally), grandson Chris and granddaughter Haley; daughter Tracy Dulle (Brian) and granddaughters, Sierra, Savannah, Kristina and Karen.

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 27 at the Roberson-Polley Chapel in Albany with burial in Grandview Cemetery. Visitation will be held before the service at 1 pm.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Albany First Presbyterian Church or Enyart Cemetery in care of Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO 64402.