David O. Paxton

Paxton, David Olaf

David Olaf Paxton passed into eternal rest on Sunday, January 4, 2015 after a brief illness.  He was born November 2, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA.  When Dave was two months old, his father Emery Paxton died.  His mother, Ruth Bursum Paxton returned to New Mexico with Dave. Dave grew up in Socorro, NM. Up until he was fourteen, he spent part of each summer visiting his Great Aunt Dora Foster in Colorado Springs.  Dave traveled as an unaccompanied minor on the Santa Fe Railroad & often reminisced that his summers in Colorado Springs were perhaps some of the most enjoyable summers in his life. As a teenager, Dave worked summers on his grandfather’s ranch where he developed his love of hunting and camping. Dave graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1945 and briefly attended UNM & New Mexico Tech. During his distinguished military career of 24 years, which included a three year stint in the Navy aboard the USS Hancock, an aircraft carrier, Dave saw combat in 3 wars:  World War II, Korea & Vietnam.  Serving briefly as a lieutenant with the Socorro Artillery Battery of the NM National Guard, Command Sergeant Major Paxton was ordered into active federal service in 1951 and later  was assigned to various AAA (Anti Aircraft Artillery) organizations on Okinawa, Korea & Japan & finally with the defense units for Hanford Atomic Works in Washington State.  He was highly decorated during his years of service and awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Meritorious Service to name a few. In 1957, he was selected for assignment with the Army Security Agency serving stints in Ft. Devens, MA, Arlington Hall, VA, Germany, Vietnam & Panama.After retiring from the military, Dave worked for the Sheriff’s Department in Albuquerque.  Later he worked for the  Social Security Administration in Santa Fe, Hobbs & Albuquerque until his retirement. In addition to working hard, Dave had a great passion for various hobbies over the years. He enjoyed breeding and raising champion show Dalmatians. He was an avid photographer for many years, who was skilled in developing his own film.  Following retirement, Dave earned his license to fly private planes and even purchased his own plane. Dave enjoyed playing Duplicate Bridge.  He was a Director in Hobbs and continued playing in Albuquerque at the Duke City Bridge Center & Sandia West Duplicate Bridge @ Taylor Ranch.  He was an ardent reader and for years could be found reading a novel. He also enjoyed cribbage games with his retired military buddies and was a member of the ROMEO'S (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Dave was preceded in death by his first wife Nancy Lee (Shulthiess) Paxton, his father Emery Foster Paxton, his mother, Ruth Bursum (Paxton) Harban, his stepfather, Robert C. Harban, and his grandfather, Senator Holm O. Bursum, Sr.He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Minces Paxton; children Mark E. Paxton, Matthew R. Paxton, and Deborah C. (Paxton) Antonucci  (husband Tom); his grandchildren:  Melanie R. (Antonucci) Hesketh (husband Daniel R.),  Jeffrey P. Antonucci,  John D. Paxton, Nikki R. Paxton and great grandson Owen D. Hesketh.  He is also survived by stepchildren Kenneth A. Ankeny (wife Maria), Lorri Skidmore & Sherryl Quint (husband Tim); step-grandchildren: Chris Skidmore, Brian Skidmore (wife Aimee), Dustin Skidmore, Aaron Ankeny, Brandon Ankeny, Megan Ankeny, Nicholas Quint, Hannah Quint & step great grandson Colin Skidmore. A memorial service will be held Wed., Jan 14, 10:00AM at Daniels Family Funeral Home, 7601 Wyoming, NE with burial to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Way of Central NM, 2340 Alamo Ave., SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 or a charity of your choice. To share memories with the family please visit David's memorial webpage at www.danielsfuneral.com.  

Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010