Anthony Jay "AJ" Maxson Jr.

Anthony Jay "AJ" Maxson Jr., 39, of Jackson Center, passed away at 1:32 p.m., Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Lima Memorial Health System as the result of an industrial accident. He was born on August 20, 1986 in Lima, to Anthony J. "Tony" and Christina L. "Chris" (Veit) Maxson who survive in Wapakoneta. On August 6, 2024, he married Ashley R. Metz, who survives in Jackson Center.

Survivors also include his three young children at home, Lincoln, Oaklynn and Landen; brother, Aaron Maxson, of Wapakoneta; sister, Amanda (Dave) Fisher, of Jackson Center; maternal grandparents, Nelson and Connie Veit, of Wapakoneta; father and mother-in-law, John and Marilyn Metz, of Wapakoneta; sister-in-law, Jessica (Dustin) Schmiesing, of Jackson Center; 9 nieces and nephews, Madisyn, Meliah, Malaina, Makenzie and Breighlynn Fisher, Alyssa Maxson, Gavin, Zayden and Colten Schmiesing; and several aunts and uncles, including Jayne Zink, of Columbus and Toni (Mitch) Townsend, of Galveston, TX.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Maxson.

AJ was a 2005 graduate of Wapakoneta High School and Apollo Career Center, where he specialized in precision machining. He also completed the welding program at Tri-Star Career Center, St. Marys. AJ was employed at GA Wintzer & Son, Wapak. A member of the Boy Scouts of America, he was proud to have made the rank of Eagle Scout. As a teenager, AJ got into go-karts, racing at area tracks. He won Track Championships at Waynesfield Raceway Park and Cridersville Speedway. AJ also set Track Records at Stateline Speedway, NY and Lake Village Motor Speedway, IN. He also was an avid pool player, playing with the American Poolplayers Association league. Recently AJ won the Qualifier Board at Moe's Dug Out to advance to regionals. Whenever you were around AJ, there was a good chance that there was music in the background. He loved listening to music and his playlists were always a mix of all the genres. During the weekends of football season, AJ would be cheering on the Texas Longhorns and the Cleveland Browns. He was a member of the Eagles, Aerie 3615 and the Moose Lodge 1533, both in Indian Lake. Go-karts, pool, music and football couldn't compare to the love and dedication AJ had for his family. He loved spending all his time with Ashley and their kids. Whether that was cruising with them in the Mustang, or teaching the kids goofy songs, AJ was the happiest with them. Lincoln and Oaklynn know all the words to Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You", a testament to AJ's love for a variety of music. They also spent many hours outside playing baseball and kicking around the soccer ball. Although the time AJ had with his family was far too short, the memories made and love shared will live on through Lincoln, Oaklynn and Landen.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 28, 2025 at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Family and friends may gather from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services Friday. We encourage you to bring a memory of AJ for his children, they can be written down at the funeral home. Father Angelo Anthony will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Ashley Maxson to be used for a fund for Lincoln, Oaklynn and Landen.