Max Thetford

Wendell Mac (Max) Thetford of Tulsa Oklahoma passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Max was in presence of his loving companion, Ramona Stanfield. Max was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on February 8, 1941. He was the son of Arlie Hubert Thetford and Vivian Elizabeth (Hall) Thetford who both preceded him in death. He graduated in May of 1959 from North Kansas City High School where he played the saxophone in the band. Max enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct 28th 1963 and he drove a jeep for the officers at the Fort Hood military base. Max also helped arrange the social dances for the soldiers at the base. This is where his love for dancing, especially ballroom, really took off. Max owned several Arthur Murray studios in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. He decided to get his private pilot license because he was driving so much, this enabled him to fly his own Grumman plane to his different ballroom dance locations in style. Max taught ballroom dancing in Tulsa at Strictly Ballroom and Dance Magic. He also volunteered his time by teaching at several churches and at The Elks Lodge where he was a member for 25 years. All of his clients loved his kind heart, patient teaching style, and his steel toes! Max enjoyed antiquing, collecting art and unique vintage items, ballroom dancing, socializing and networking with friends and colleagues. He loved the trade and barter business and Max was an icon in the industry in Tulsa and a charter member for 40 years. He was the Director of Marketing at Business Exchange in Tulsa for 38 years. In his time with Business Exchange Max won several awards for Sales Marketer of the Year and Lead Salesman of the Year. Max and Ramona both had a love for ballroom dancing and they met in 2000 at Strictly Ballroom Studio at a social party. They became inseparable. Max is survived by his best friend and loving partner, Ramona Stanfield of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His sister Bette Fausett of Kansas City, Mo. His nieces Susan Brown, Carol Tallant, and Lora Bonnot, his nephew Steven D. Fausett all of Kansas City, Mo and several Great nieces and nephews. Max became very close with Ramona's family including her daughters Terri Clark, Mona Barnett and Cecilia Fay. He loved Ramona's Grandchildren Katlynn Fay, Connor Clark, Ethan Clark and Oliver Barnett as if they were his own. A memorial service and celebration of Max's life will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 1:00 pm at Strictly Ballroom. There will be a reception to follow with food provided by dear friends Alan Elias and Verna Claybrook of Business Exchange. Strictly Ballroom 6926 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74136 Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Max Thetford

February 8, 1941 - December 9, 2019