About Max

Maximilian (Max) Xavier Finney was born on January 24, 2004 in Houston, Texas. He grew up with five older siblings and found a way to follow in their footsteps and yet create his own culture wherever he went. No matter who he met, he was always genuinely interested in their personal wellbeing and quickly made every stranger his new best friend. He loved animals, and was especially interested in wildlife, cattle, and horses. He was homeschooled until 8th grade and spent a majority of this time in The Woodlands. Max enjoyed climbing trees, playing with his dog, going to the ranch, and making up games in which he would save the world from villains. He was constantly busy building, exploring, and entertaining those around him with his wonderful sense of humor.

He began playing lacrosse, with the Woodlands Lacrosse program when he was 7 and SCFL youth football at 8 - almost as soon as he could run and hold up a stick and a helmet. He developed his competitive nature through sports and his incredible persistence only increased over the years. Max was a constant inspiration for his teammates with his unceasing smile. He loved little kids - looking out for his cousins and nephew every chance he got - and enjoyed teaching people fun little activities such as juggling.

During his life Max traveled throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and Africa.  He had the chance to live in Hawaii and later Romania with his parents and sisters and was able to explore the world even more. While he was in Hawaii, Max’s adventurous side thrived as he surfed, cliff jumped, and challenged himself to do 360’s while riding waves on his boogie board. In Romania, he was able to expand his view of the world by traveling and understanding how other people live; he always was looking for a way to help. During his adventures in Europe, Max skied and explored ice caves in Austria, climbed mountains in Switzerland, kayaked along the coast of Italy, and hung out with his rabbit, Vlad. When Max was 12, he shot his first elk in the Wyoming mountains and was again successful  for his last hunting season this past fall.

His 8th grade year, he attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and touched lives of everyone he met, from his principal to his peers. He played six-man football and helped his team to win the city championship. He immediately made great friends and was able to be his funny, genuine self for his last year as he and his friends pushed each other to become the best versions of themselves. He took a class trip to Washington DC and was able to spend a wonderful week with his classmates. He played lacrosse for The Woodlands and then for T91 for the last few months of his life and his love of lacrosse grew exponentially. After graduating from St. Anne’s, Max  almost immediately started spending every weekday from 6am to 1pm at Strake Jesuit going to English class, Jesuit Athletic Camp (JAC), and playing lacrosse. He showed persistence and dedication by spending his summer waking up at 4:30 am and finishing by studying during the afternoons. He believed that his sacrifice and hard work was little compared with the blessing and opportunity to follow his dream of attending Strake Jesuit.

In the final months of his life, Max showed incredible growth through his courage, kindness, and enthusiasm for the pains and needs of others. Max died on July 7, 2018 in a vehicle accident in the mountains near Cody, Wyoming, doing what he loved - exploring the world. He was a wonderful young man who will continue to be an inspiration for all of us to live and love in the ways that he did. Anyone who has met Max will never forget this beacon of light who showed life, laughter, adventure, and love to the world in his own simple, gregarious, and powerful way.

He will be deeply missed by his parents Troy and Julie, his 5 brothers and sisters, three sisters-in-law, and his beloved nephew and niece along with his cherished cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.