Ralph Maxwell Jr., the former owner and publisher of The Oglethorpe Echo, died Thursday afternoon at his home, his brother Scott Maxwell said.
He was 74 years old.
Maxwell Jr. owned the newspaper for 40 years, continuing his family’s legacy as publishers of Oglethorpe County’s newspaper.
He suffered a stroke in 2017, prompting his retirement from the news industry, but not before he partnered with the University of Georgia in the fall of 2021 to ensure The Echo would continue.
With the help of close friend Dink NeSmith, Maxwell transferred the newspaper to a new non-profit organization called The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Foundation. The non-profit is in its fourth year with UGA students serving as the editorial staff of the 152-year old newspaper.
Maxwell Jr.’s health worsened last fall and outings from his Lexington home had been limited. He visited The Rowdy Rooster — one of his favorite places — in February and again on April 18 with the help of family and friends.
There will be more details in next week’s edition of The Oglethorpe Echo.