It is surreal to us that we are writing an obituary for our son, Max, less than seven months after the passing of his older brother. He was only 19 years old and was taken from us far too soon. Max had a close relationship with God, and knowing our dear son is in God’s loving arms helps during the nightmare we are left living here on earth.
Max was born on December 5, 2004, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He joined our family through the gift of adoption on July 15, 2005.
We immediately fell in love with his beautiful smile, belly laugh and big hugs. We think Max will be most remembered for his fearless love of life, his loud laugh and his incredible work ethic. He also loved to help people and to encourage others.
His relationship with his Nanny and Paw Paw was extremely close and he adored them. Max was very protective of his younger sister, Andie. If you knew Max then you were aware of his muscle size and strength, so she was very well-protected.
They were only 15 months apart in age, so they grew up joined at the hip — and you rarely saw one without the other. You also rarely saw them without hearing the sibling bickering that being that close in age brings. What we would give to hear that noise again.
We cannot adequately put into words how much he adored his older brother, Gannon. Whatever Gannon did, Max wanted to do too. We don’t think that Max quite knew how to navigate his life after his brother’s death a few short months ago. Knowing they are together again does bring us some peace, as by Gannon’s side is exactly where Max always wanted to be.
We hope Heaven allows them to drive around in a car with loud bass booming. Like his older brother, Max battled addiction, an addiction that ultimately took his life. Fentanyl is a demon drug that is ruining families, and it has tried its best to destroy ours.
One of Max’s last social media posts was warning others to never start using drugs because doing so wrecks lives and blows up families. He didn’t ever want to hurt us, and he hated the turmoil of his addiction.
He was preceded in death by his older brother, Gannon, and grandmother, Carole McDermott. He leaves behind his loving parents, Lee and Carolyn McDermott; his sister, Andie McDermott; his Nanny and Paw Paw (Charles and Eunice Weber); Pop Pop (Leo McDermott); his aunts, Karen McDermott, Colleen Petty and Maureen Wamsley; his uncles, Tony Petty and Bryan Wamsley; and his cousins, Bryce Petty (Meredith), Kyle Petty (Olivia), Danny Callahan (Carrie), Kasey Callahan (Bennett) and Lily McDermott.
Our sweet Max, we know that Gannon was waiting for you in Heaven with open arms. The two of you can rest easy together in the arms of our Savior. We love you always and will miss you every day for the rest of our lives. Be at peace among the angels — your struggle is over.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 7, 2024, at the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home, Peachtree City. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made in Max’s name to A Better Way Ministries, 800 Stallings Road, Senoia, GA 30276.
We welcome you to provide your condolences, thoughts, and memories on our Tribute Wall. Mowell Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Peachtree City, www.mowells.com
Heartbroken for your family….I lost a brother in 2021 to the same addiction. It is a horrible, hellish battle that has claimed too many. God’s love and peace to your family and sons, whose battles are done.