On May 25, 1954, a bouncing, baby boy was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the son of Booker and Daisy Maxwell, Sr.  They named him Donald Ray Maxwell.  He was better known to his family and friends as "Tom Dooley" and a special nickname given to him by his mom was "Sonny Man.'

He grew up in Muskogee, where he attended Dunbar Elementary, Sadler Jr. High and ultimately Historic Manual Training High School.  Later, he worked at Rust Drive-In and Trade Winds as a fry cook.  He was also a truck driver at Dawson's Industries  Mr. Maxwell was a hard working man and enjoyed making a living on his own.

In his past time, Tom enjoyed cooking, listening to music, playing dominoes and spending time with his family.  He loved classic cars and often reminisced about his old Buick Electra given to him by his older cousin, Clyde Thompson, Sr.

On May 9, 2020, Donald Ray Maxwell, after 65 years, "danced his way to Heaven."  He was preceded in death by his parents, Booker Maxwell, Sr. and Daisy Maxwell;  two sister, Doris Adams and Lois Chaplin.

Those left to remember him;  his four brothers, Booker Jr., Eugene [Delora], and Edward, all of Muskogee, Oklahoma and James W., Fort Smith, Arkansas;  five sisters, Joyce [Glenn], Marie, LaChella and Mary, all of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Christine [Larry], Midwest City, Oklahoma;  thirty-three nieces and nephews;  sixty-seven great-nieces and nephews; twelve great-great-nieces and nephews; and a caravan of other relatives and many friends who will truly miss him.