Sedro-Woolley’s very own “ecocentric” icon, Max Alaways, passed away at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley on January 22, 2013, 2 days after his 81st birthday.
Max was born in Sedro-Woolley and grew up on the south bank of the Skagit River on Route 9. He was the son of the long time shingle mill owner, Onias Alaways. Max dropped out of high school in his sophomore year to serve two tours in the Army during the Korean War.
He never married. After returning home from the war he successfully built two shake and one shingle mills on the property where he lived with his mother, Clara, who helped him run the mills. After her death, the mills declined and he moved into town to a one-room house and began his life as the city icon in 1990. He became interested in publications on philosophy. Many of the books he obtained he reprinted as “Brought back to life my Max Alaways”. He would give these books to anyone he met on the street. He thought the schools should have these books and would approach the school board with his ideas. He even ran once, unsuccessfully, for the School Board.
He helped many homeless by offering them a place to stay in a trailer on his property.
He was “independent, obstinate, opinionated and ornery”, which made him someone the people of Sedro-Woolley will remember for a long time.
The Mayor said, “I’ll never forget how news crews would somehow manage to find Max anytime Sedro-Woolley was featured on television. With his death, Max’s favorite bench in town will never be the same. I’ll miss him.”
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Marquart of Burlington. He leaves two sisters, Jeanne Johnson of La Conner and Patsy Hogan of Kensington, Maryland; two brothers, Andy of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Del of Chico, California along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel. Although there will be no public services, private inurnment will be at Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley
This may be a bit late, but for some reason I thought of Max today and I had not thought about him in quite some time. I got to know Max from his books, more specifically helping him print off his books. I worked the copy center at Office Max in Burlington where he would come in frequently, always something on his mind and something to say with his latest book he needed reprinted to hand out. I worked there for years and its hard to think of that time without thinking of Max as he was one of our most regular customers. I know his views clashed with a few co-workers of mine and I can’t blame them, but I still always kind of enjoyed seeing him come in. With as much as he had to say he never seemed to overstay his welcome in the copy department. I had other regulars who could chat your ear off as your started to try and hint to them that you had to get back to work, but Max walked that line pretty well, just staying long enough and still telling you a story or two.
Anyway, I’d always suspected he had finally passed as I no longer saw him in Sedro, but never looked into it until today. I saw there was something to sign so I thought I would go ahead and do so even though it’s been a few years.
RIP Max
Max is the biggest character I have met in my lifetime. I met him in 1999 and developed a fine friendship with him. I enjoyed very much our deep conversations from poltics, to the education system, to Skagit County issues, etc. Max was well read, very intelligent and cared deeply for the underdog and disadvantaged in our society. More importantly, Max loved Sedro-Woolley. Max was not afraid to be himself and he did not care what others thought of him. I admired that about him; although, he would admit to me that he could be rude at tims (imagine that….). RIP Max. David Lowell
I am one of Max’s nieces.. I am wondering if he was outwardly completely “obstinate, opinionated and ornery” all the way to the end? I love reading the stories of his not so visible gentle and giving side! Thank you so much for sharing your stories. I knew just a bit of both sides of Uncle Max as I have always lived so far from Sedro-Woolley. I do know that my mother spent some time with him at the center not long ago and shared with him how much our Lord loved him. I have experienced that even when certain individuals seem to outwardly reject anything people say to them regarding this very personal decision there can be an inward conversation that breaks through everything – a heart one never expected to open, does. I have prayed this for my uncle for years and I know that only One knew his true heart of hearts. Still, you can most likely understand that any hint he may have accepted how he was cherished by the King would be a joy to hear about. Thank you all that became his family and continue to care.
I printed Max’s books for him for many years, he was very intelligent and had a honest interest in people. His dog was always’s by his side. He was alway’s up for a good debate and was a great listener. I would look forward to him coming into Allelujah Business Systems, even if it was just to say hello. He would always encourage me to follow my dreams with music, before i left for college to do just that he brought me a beautiful harmonica. One of my favorite gift’s I have ever received. Max was a kind soul and had the best of intentions, Sedro Woolley will never be the same, he was a “star” in the community and my friend. You will be greatly missed Max, Love you.
To the Alaways Family
Max was such a character in Sedro Woolley he will be miss by many. I remember one time he told me he had a bunch of male cats and one of them had kittens, he said he needed to find homes for them I told him I would
take one, so one day he came up to the office I was working at and brought up the cutest kitten and said here’s
that kitten you wanted, that was one smart cat. I think Max must have read Elbert Hubbard to those kittens.
Respectfully,
Lori Andrews Foster
sad the ole guy passed..he sure was always around and such an odd duck..he would talk your ear off whenever you saw him..RIP Max..bet God is interested in your ideas..LOL
Max was a pain in the butt! However we will still miss him. You could count on him growling at you everytime that he saw him and try and give you one of his books.
He was one of those people that makes small towns interesting. I stopped in and visited him at his house and in the convalescent center and I think that he liked seeing me,but he would never admit it. His sister, Pat and Phil were exceedingly nice to him in his final years.
He won’t be forgotten!
Our condolences to the family.
Rest in Peace, Max.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 43
Sedro-Woolley, WA
I first met max in 2001 after being elected to a school board director position. I accepted his invitation to have coffee downtown one morning. During coffee we had an interesting conversation about his ideas, and he gave me several copies of his publications. A few years later he would track me down at work at the city shops to share his opinions with me. He was an interesting fellow, I always enjoyed the occasional conversations that I had with him when I was working downtown over the last 12 years. He was definitely a fixture in town, and he will be remembered.