Naxera Jr., George John 'Max'

George John “Max” Naxera Jr., 82, of Cottage Grove Place, died early Wednesday morning, Aug. 4, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital following a brief illness. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Heather Hayes. Burial: Czech National Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Papich-Kuba Janeba Chapel West, 1604 J St. SW, and after 1 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Max is survived by a brother, Victor F. Naxera and wife Janice, and sister, Irene Naxera Hamous and husband Donald, both of Cedar Rapids; nephews, niece and their families: John V. (Chris) Naxera, Cedar Rapids, and their children, Alex and Hanna; Lisa A. Naxera, Austin, Texas; Bruce A. (Barbara) Hamous, Cedar Rapids, and their children, Brandon (Sandra), and their son, William, James (Kayla), and Christina Hamous; and Steven J. (Janet) Hamous, Wichita, Kan., and their children, Michael and Racheal (Josh) Dunn and their children, Nevaeh and Silas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George J. Sr. and Alma M. (Hajny) Naxera; and great-niece, Sarah Hamous.

Max was born Nov. 25, 1927, in Cedar Rapids and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Wilson High School, where he was a member of the Aristotelian Honor Society. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Coe College and his master's degree in English from the University of Iowa.

Max taught Language Arts and business at the following schools: Western Military Academy, Alton, Ill., and McKinley, Jefferson and Roosevelt schools in Cedar Rapids. He retired from Jefferson High School in 1988.

He and his brother, Victor, also owned and operated the Brown Apartments in Cedar Rapids from 1958 to 1974.

Max was an Army veteran and served with the Occupation Army in Tokyo, Japan following World War II.

Max was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he sang tenor in the choir for 50 years. He was a member of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, Cedar Rapids Literary Society, Komensky Society, Lodge Junior American Czechs 137 C.S.A., Lodge Cedar Rapids 262 W.F.L.A., Cedar Rapids Community Concerts, Coe College Alumni Association, Cedar Rapids Symphony and he performed with the Dieman Bennett Dancers. Max also greatly enjoyed his overseas travels.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, Coe College and First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids.