Albert Henry Paxton, Sr.

Albert Henry Paxton, Sr. - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier June 10, 2015

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Albert Henry Paxton, Sr. - Madison Parish, Louisiana

From Jackson, MS Clarion-Ledger June 10, 2015

Funeral services for Albert Henry Paxton, Sr. of Tallulah, Louisiana, who passed away on June 8, 2015, will be held Thursday, June 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Tallulah. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the church.

Mr. Paxton was born January 31, 1922, in Warren County, Mississippi, to parents, Ellie Brown and Theo Vallient Paxton, Sr. He graduated from Mississippi State University where he played baseball, was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He was an M Club Member and a loyal Bulldog for life.

After graduating, Mr. Paxton joined the U.S. Army and served in World War II in the European Theatre as a member of the First Combat Engineers until V.E. Day when he was transferred to the Philippines. Until the end of the war, he served there as aide to Brigadier General Ridgley Gaither, assistant division commander of the 86th Infantry Division. After the war, Mr. Paxton built a long, distinguished career as the owner of LaClede Plantation and Paxton Quarter Horses in Tallulah, Louisiana. Until recently, he was actively involved in the operation of both enterprises. A nationally noted breeder of quarter horses, Mr. Paxton served as the first president of the Mississippi Quarter Horse Association was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and in 2002 he was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame.

Throughout decades of successful competition at horse shows, he readily conceded it was his love of horses and the friendships formed over the years that brought him great fulfillment. He passed on this love to his children, and today the Paxtons carry on their father's proud heritage. Mr. Paxton dedicated his considerable energy and talents to being a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his extended family who will always honor his memory. He was a longstanding member of the First United Methodist Church of Tallulah and an important contributor to the community in many civic capacities including his support of the 4-H program and his service as a past director of Tallulah State Bank and Deposit Guaranty Bank. All who knew Albert Paxton will attest that with his stately bearing, strong work ethic, steadfast discipline, and unswerving loyalty, he, throughout his life, unquestionably embodied the admirable traits that define America's Greatest Generation.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Brunazzi Paxton; sons, Albert Henry Paxton, Jr. (Sarah), William Theo Paxton (Charlynne), John Houston Paxton, James Edward Paxton (Chris); daughters, Pamela Paxton Ferriss (David), and Valeria Paxton MacPhail (William); step-children Cecilia Grant Draper, Thomas Arthur Grant, III and Richard Arthur Grant; grandchildren Albert Adams Paxton (Kristi), Amy Paxton Blossom (Benjamin), William Theo Paxton, Jr. (Melissa), Albert Henry Paxton (Lillian), Carlyle Paxton Killen (Bryant), Mathew King Paxton, Miriam Ferriss Pittman (Chase), David Meadow Ferriss, III (Chelsea), Sarah Charlynne MacPhail, Carlyle Valeria MacPhail, Katherine Sweet MacPhail, Annabelle Parker Paxton, Samuel Henry Paxton, and Kathleen Carlyle Paxton; step-grandchildren, Jon Alexander Draper (Catherine), Freya Grant, and Gloria Grant; great-grandchildren, Benjamin David Blossom, Jr., Carlyle Collins Blossom, Charles Adams Blossom, Luke Henry Paxton, James Edward Paxton, Rosemary Jewell Paxton, Margaret Mae Paxton, William Bryant Killen, Jr., Mary Chase Pittman, Kathryn Carlyle Pittman, Jane Ferriss Pittman; step-great-grandchild, Henry Esmund Draper; sister, Frances Paxton Downey, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Paxton was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Valeria Logue Paxton, parents Ellie Brown and Theo Vallient Paxton, Sr. and brother Theo Vallient Paxton, Jr.

Pallbearers are Albert Adams Paxton, William Theo Paxton, Jr., Albert Henry Paxton, Matthew King Paxton, David Meadow Ferriss, III, Jon Alexander Draper, John David Hoseman, Sr. and Edwin Stuart Moberley, Jr.

The family has requested that memorials be sent to First United Methodist Church or Trinity Episcopal Church.