Donald Paxton

Donald W. Paxton, 84, of Pine River, died at his home Tuesday, November 25, 2008. Services for Don will be 10 AM, Friday, November 28, 2008 at Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd with Pastor Rory Swenson officiating. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services at the church. Interment is scheduled for 12:30 PM, Monday, December 8, 2008 at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
Don was born May 22, 1924, in Nashua, IA, the son of Vanderbilt and Mary (Derby) Paxton. He was united in marriage to Jeannine Sellers on December 19, 1948 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. Don served his country for ten years spending time in the US Navy and the US Air Force. He was a technical representative for Philco Radio Corp. In 1963, Don worked for Voice of America as a Foreign Service Officer serving in Liberia, West Africa, Okinawa, Morocco, and Washington, DC. In 1986, Don retired as Power Plant Supervisor for Voice of America.

Don enjoyed reading, golfing, and Minnesota sports but most importantly spending time with his family. He was active in the Boy Scouts and liked to work on model airplanes.

Don will be missed by his wife, Jeannine; his daughter, Barbara (Ron) Cihlar, of Carson City, NV; his sons, Robert (Teri) Paxton, of Sauk Rapids, Greg (Patti) Paxton, of Charles Town, WV, Mark (Amy) Paxton, of New Market, MD, and Garth (Mary) Paxton, of Crosby; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Cloyd Paxton, of Renton, WA; and sister, Geraldine Steinke, of Muscatine, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; and two sisters.