New county bridge to be dedicated in John Maxwell’s honor

A special bridge dedication and ribbon cutting is set for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 east of Bray, in honor of the late John Maxwell.

Stephens County Commissioner Kreg Murphree said the project was initiated by former commissioner David McCarley in 2017 on a five-year plan. Murphree continued the effort in getting the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install the bridge. It is located on 13 Mile Road, 5.5 miles south from SH 29. The bridge is at the tributary to Black Bear Creek. Only recently was Murphree asked if there was any person the bridge could be named after in honor.

“John Maxwell, he was a school teacher for 40 years, and he was with the Stephens County Livestock Growers Association, and is in the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame. He did transportation out there and he was a pillar of the communities of Bray and Marlow,” Murphree said.

The John Maxwell Memorial Bridge ribbon cutting is open to anyone who wants to attend and honor the late Maxwell, who died in September.