Gary Thomasson

For years I took music lessons (piano and Hammond organ) from Max, as did my grandmother, Nettie Moles, who shared his music studio on Center Street in Tacoma, Washington in the 1950s and 1960s. In late 1960, Max sold his studio on Center Street and began giving music lessons at Fulton's Music City near what is now the Lakewood Town Center in Lakewood, Washington. Max was a personal friend of my family and me, and we shared many Saturdays together as well as some weekends. He made me the musician that I am. My family also knew his wife, Ethel. Max told me many stories through the years . . . that he had been adopted as an infant by the Ouimette family (Ouimette is a French name), and Max never knew any of his natural family. His full name given by his adopted family was Alexander Maxwell Ouimette. He and Ethel had no children. Max was not a "big" man, standing only about 5'6" or 5'7" tall. He was not a thin man but would not be considered stocky, either. He had wavy, sandy brown hair, and his hairline was slightly receded. He combed his hair straight back without a "part." He smoked Winston cigarettes for years until he quit cold turkey in the mid-1960s. He was one amazing pianist and organist. He was an avid believer that the Hammond organ was the greatest organ made, and he had both spinets and full-sized Hammonds as well as Leslie speakers. He also had several pianos, including a grand piano or two. If I can think of more information to share, I will add it. In the meantime, if anyone has any specific questions about Max, please feel free to ask! Gary