John Arnold Paxton, 86, Served Country and Community

John was a 1938 graduate of North High School in Columbus, Ohio where he lettered in baseball. He attended and graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Dairy Technology and continued to work at the university as plant manager of their dairy operations for several years.

He served during WWII in Company E 186th Infantry of the Army of the United States. He was involved in the battles and campaigns of the Southern Philippines, Papuan, and New Guinea. His decorations and citations awarded were the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars; the American Defense Service Medal; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star; and the Good Conduct Ribbon. He was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant in October 1945 after serving 3 years and 11 months.

He moved from Columbus to Oberlin, Ohio in 1952 to become plant manager of Parson’s Jersey Dairy. He later owned and operated Parson’s Dairy until selling it to Smith Dairy of Orville in 1976. He continued in the dairy business retiring from Smith Dairy in 1985.

He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin and a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

For many years he was a volunteer and board member for the Hot Meals program in Oberlin. He was a past member and president of the Exchange Club of Oberlin. He was also a past member of the Lorain County Board of MMRD.

He enjoyed watching sports and was a bowler. He also greatly enjoyed reading, gardening, pets, volunteering, traveling, and visiting with his family. His favorite color was yellow and he was an optimist with a great sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Agnes “Ronnie” (nee Denune) of Oberlin. He is also survived by his sister Mary Janet Cannon of Cincinnati, OH. Additionally he is survived by his six children: Renee Denune Paxton of Bangor, ME; J. Daniel Paxton of Oberlin, OH; Heather Drury Paxton of Oberlin, OH; Kathryn Arnold Paxton-Hill of Havre de Grace, MD; Timothy Christopher Paxton of Oberlin, OH; Joel Brooks Paxton of Holyoke, MA; and by five grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Fred Paxton and Bessie Mabel (nee Drain) and three sisters and one brother: Belva Mabel Arnott of Akron, OH; Maxine Leona Paxton of Knoxville, TN; Kathryn Alice Jones of Johnson City, TN; and Franklin Drain Paxton of Columbus, OH.

A memorial service will be held at 4PM on Sunday January 7, 2007 at Christ Episcopal Church, 162 S. Main St., Oberlin. The Rev. Brian K. Wilbert will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 162 S. Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074