Max Evaristo Carrera passed away at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Washington, on April 27, 2026, surrounded by his adoring children.

Max was born on September 13, 1966, to Max Carrera and Julia Infante-Carrera in Los Angeles, California. The youngest of 12 children, he was loved by his four brothers, Pedro, Frank, Martin, and Carlos, and seven sisters, Martha, Maria, Rosario, Estela, Ana Bertha, Lucy, and Esperanza. Born to immigrants from Mexico, Max was one of two children born in the United States. He would spend much of his life using his bilingual skills and passion for his Mexican American heritage and people, working in his community to better the lives of others. Max spent most of his childhood growing up in Walla Walla, Washington. He attended Sharpstein Elementary, Pioneer Middle School, and graduated from Walla Walla High School.

Shortly after high school, Max met Holly Taylor, and they married in September of 1988. Together, they shared four children: Nicolai, Morghan, Alec, and Mailen. Mailen was adopted from Guatemala. Both Max and Holly's family stories shared adoption, and they were overjoyed to be able to grow their family through the gift of adoption. Max and Holly divorced after almost 25 years of marriage. They were able to share a wonderful friendship through the shared love of their children and grandchildren.

Max spent most of his professional career working in human resources for the Washington State Department of Corrections. As a young man, he became the first Latino deputy in the Walla Walla Sheriff's Department. He also worked for First Fruits and AgriCare, where he used his bilingual skills and passion for migrant workers and rights to create quality work environments and provide representation to those who needed a voice. A seeker of truth and justice, Max was always striving to find the right solution to the problems faced by both himself and others. He was always willing to listen to others with an open mind, whether they agreed or disagreed. Never stuck in his ways, he evolved and grew in heart and mind through his love for others and life experience.

Family first was personified through Max. He loved his children more than anything, and he took every opportunity to show them. Whether through gifts, conversation, or simply being there, he always showed up for his family. His siblings were such a gift in his life. He created so many wonderful memories for his kids, driving back and forth to the Tri-Cities and Portland so they could spend time with their cousins and Tia's and Tio's. Those relationships lasted his whole life, as he kept those special bonds with his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. He shared a beautiful relationship with Harry and Pat Taylor, his in-laws, spending countless hours enjoying love and laughter. The love he had for his mother, Julia Infante, was unmatched. During the last years of her life, he lived next door to her under the guise of caring for her, though it was clear to everyone they were taking care of each other. All knew how much he cherished that time they were able to share. During the final years of his life, his greatest joy was becoming a grandfather to Morghan's three daughters, Brettlyn, Andersyn, and Collyns. Max would light up every time he got to see them and loved nothing more than spoiling them beyond belief.

All who knew him are experiencing a tremendous sense of loss without Max around. Comforted by the lasting presence he leaves behind and the humor he shared with us, Max won't be forgotten. He was preceded in death by his father, Max, mother, Julia, in-laws, Harry and Pat Taylor, sister, Rosario, brother-in-law, Toby Armijo, Rod Chapple, and Brett Taylor, nephews, Oscar Muñoz, Juan Carlos Plotts, and niece Linda Carrera. He leaves behind his children, Nicolai, Morghan, Alec, and Mailen, his son-in-law, Camron, his granddaughters, siblings, and many loving nieces and nephews, including Ryan Carrera, whom he saw as a son, as well as friends.