James Irvin Paxton

August 10, 2018

James Irvin Paxton, our dad, was an honest, ethical Christian man of integrity who honored his word and always helped others. Dad was born on April 26, 1929, and passed from this world to his heavenly home on August 10, 2018. Dad, the youngest of nine children of Ernest Dountain and Eva Esta Dodd Paxton of Long Ridge, Roane County, was preceded in death by his brothers: Hubert, Houston, Cephas, Owen, and Donald, and sisters: Velma Blackwell, Dolpha Smith, and Norma Donohoe. His loving wife of 67 years, Ruby Kathryn Green Paxton, entered her eternal home on March 10, 2015, and left a void that no one can fill. Dad is survived by his five children: Sharon Lee Paxton, James Wayne Paxton, Connie Ann Hays, Charles Douglas Paxton, and Joyce Lynn Burdette. Dad is the proud Papa to 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind, Buddy, his cherished Golden Retriever, who was his constant companion and comfort, and who is now cared for by his loving granddaughter, Angie Lipscomb. Dad, a hard worker who provided well for mom and us, worked for Columbia Gas for 38 years. He began while in high school as a summer worker cutting right-of-ways, and he retired as supervisor at the Operating Center in St. Albans. He also worked a second job as a mechanic and is still highly regarded as one of the region’s best. Dad could repair almost anything. If he didn’t have the right tool, he was innovative and made one. He always knew the “best way” to accomplish any task, and he insisted that we do it his way. Dad was a multi-talented man, a jack-of-all trades, who in his younger days worked from daylight until dusk or later. He enjoyed building and helped construct his home, ours, and two log cabin family homes. He enjoyed wood working and furniture making and made or refinished hundreds of items which he willingly gave away. His gardens were the best since he was a farmer at heart, and he even canned the fruits and vegetables he harvested. No one left his home empty handed. Dad loved working outside and keeping his property and ours well-manicured. He was quite a lumber jack who cut trees, split logs, and stacked them like a professional. Dad passed his work ethic on to all of us and taught us to be disciplined and honorable. When we were younger, Dad took us on country drives throughout WV where we camped, hiked, fished, picnicked, and played family games. Because of our family adventures, we love and respect nature and share it with our families. We appreciate the many skills and lessons he taught us, and we pass them on because of our love and respect for him. We are honoring Dad’s request to be cremated, to have no service, and to have his ashes buried at Elk Memorial Gardens with mom. Matics Funeral Home is fulfilling dad’s wishes. To honor dad, donations may be made to Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25311.