Max Stool, Class of 1940

 
Max Stool celebrated his 90th birthday last week and passed away November 1, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas. Max was born in Del Rio, Texas just two years after his parents, David and Esther Stool, emigrated from the Ukraine through Ellis Island. Max lettered in football with the Del Rio Wildcats and earned an undergraduate and law degree from UT. He served as a member of the Army Air Corps and participated in six European campaigns. Max worked with his father at, and later operated, The Star Store in Del Rio for over fifty years. Max served on the local Girl Scouts council, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, the Del Rio Council for the Arts, the Val Verde Friends of the Arts, and was active in the Rotary Club for 50 years. He was a board member of the Del Rio Independent School District and served as chair of the Val Verde County Democratic Party. Max was active with the Texas Jewish Historical Society, the Texas Jewish War Veterans, and the Jewish Federation. Max celebrated a second bar mitzvah at the age of 85. Max was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Libbie Polsky Stool; brother, Dr. Newsom Stool; brother, Joseph Stuhl; and sister, Elizabeth Stool. He is survived by his son, Samuel Ethan Stool and wife Patti; daughter, Elizabeth Friedman and husband Dr. David Friedman; son, Benjamin Laurence Stool and wife Michele Ritter; grandchildren, Justin, Rebekah, Samuel, Asher, Sydney and Rachel; great-grandchild, Paige; and numerous nieces and nephews.