Max Howard Hume, 95, died June 14, 2010, at the Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, Kansas, in the company of his loving family.

He was born February 25, 1915, in Morton County, Kansas, to Leslie Dudley and Clyde Effie (Burnette) Hume. He graduated from Walsh High School in 1933. He married Lois L. Callahan, and together they were to enjoy nearly 75 challenging but rewarding years.

Children of the Great Depression, Max and Lois moved around many times during their first years of married life to provide for their young children. Max worked in the mine at Climax, Colorado. They lived in Kokomo for a while, and then they moved to Climax and lived in a company house that had indoor plumbing, electricity and other luxuries. Max also worked in the shipyards of Oakland, California, before returning to farming and ranching in western Kansas and eastern Colorado in 1944.

Lois died in 2008. Max is survived by their 6 children and their spouses: Maxine and Norman Smith, Walsh, Colorado; Robert and Chesna Hume, Manter, Kansas; James and Kay Hume, Walsh, Colorado; Charles and Barbara Hume, Springfield, Colorado; Linda and Emery Josserand, Winfield, Kansas; and Leslie Hume and Steve Wood, Austin, Texas.

Max and Lois were blessed with 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. One grandson, Michael John Hume, died in 2001. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister Gladys Hume Bitner, and his brothers, Guy Hume, who died in infancy, Harold B. Hume, and Leslie D. (Buzzy) Hume, Jr.

Max was an innovative farmer and stockman, not reluctant to try different crops, livestock, and farming techniques, including drilling some of the first irrigation wells in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. Max was very proud of his reputation in the cattle business. He wouldn't sign a contract. He said a handshake was all that he needed. He received many cattle bought on a handshake that were worth much less at delivery than the purchase price.

Max's and Lois's greatest legacy was the education they provided for their children, from the discussions at the dinner table, the National Geographic subscriptions, the State Fair calves, and the summer abroad to the many, many years of college tuition, and much more.

During their 25 years of retirement, Max and Lois spent many summers fishing in Alaska, sometimes stopping in British Columbia to pick berries. Max and Lois traveled throughout Mexico during the winter months of these years. One of their most memorable journeys was to Cuba.

The couple established a home in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they often took their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on fishing excursions in the Gulf of Mexico.

After Max and Lois returned to Kansas in the 1990s, Max enjoyed his family, delighting especially in the babies and the children. He earned the nickname "Granddad Candy." He also enjoyed growing things. He grew roses and bragged on them as if they were his children, and he loved giving away pumpkins and watermelons. Max and Lois hosted many Thanksgiving celebrations and family reunions in the Sunflower House at their home.

Max Hume lived during turbulent times, and he navigated his way through many major changes. We should remember that he was never afraid and he always was ready for an adventure.

Contributions in memory of Max may be made to the Callahan ~ Hume Memorial Scholarship Fund. We will fund the first scholarship in 2011.