News

In memoriam: Lon Maxey

The founder of both General Sign Company and what is now Spartech Plastics, dies at age 90

Published

15 years ago

September 2, 2009

Nancy Beaudette and Noella Cotnam Signs of the Times September 2009 Issue

Lox Maxey, who founded two prominent Cape Girardeau, MO, companies — General Sign Co. and what is now known as Spartech Plastics — died July 27 at age 90 in Cape Girardeau.

Maxey founded General Sign Co. in 1939 and owned it for the next 53 years, until 1992. During that time, the sign company’s clients included Harley-Davidson, Dairy Queen, Pizza Inn, Sears and Payless Shoes. Within Missouri, the company also built signs for the Edward Jones Dome and the Sheraton Hotel in St. Louis.

Additionally, Maxey founded Atlas Plastics, which now is known as Spartech Plastics, and has been a member of the International Sign Assn. (formerly the National Electric Sign Assn. [NESA]) since 1961. Maxey was active in both the Missouri Sign Assn. and NESA.

He was born September 8, 1918 in New Madrid County, MO. He married Ruby Rogers on Sept. 7, 1940. She died in 1977. Maxey later remarried Joyce Lape.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; two daughters: Pamela Ansel of Charleston, MO, and Candace Lynn Bradford of Bertrand, MO; a sister, Jane Matthews, of Cape Girardeau, and 13 grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn.

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