David Paxton
My father, David Paxton, who would have wished that I posted more and would have hated this post… unexpectedly died yesterday.
His mother was Mary Frances Paxton of Flint, MI and his father was C.D. (Dee) Paxton of Genesee, MI. They preceded him in death in 1994 and 1999 respectively. David was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1944 and lived in Flint, MI, Pittsburg, PA, Tampa, FL and traveled the world many times over as an executive for Westinghouse and later ADP. His final home was in Brandon FL, outside Tampa FL.
My dad was just a few days shy of his 77th birthday.
He was just starting a new chapter of his life as he had just sold his home on Oakwood Ave, in Brandon FL and had moved into his new home just a couple of miles away in Valrico, FL. He was there for just five days and had not even fully unpacked, or stocked his kitchen yet.
From March 2020, he was mostly shut into his old house as we all weathered the pandemic. He did receive the second dose of Moderna the day prior to his death. He was adamant about avoiding the virus until he could be immunized and saw it as a passport back to normal living. Perhaps as some of us do. He was looking forward to resuming normal activities and he was starting to feel much better as he was having some health problems within the last 3-5 years.
He greatly anticipated being able to visit with his friends, resume his normal pattern of weekly outings, and was even looking forward to a potential trip to Michigan to visit his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In November, we were planning a trip to Valrico FL to visit and he was planning a holiday flight to Michigan in late 2021.
He was happier, more optimistic, and ready to begin a new chapter in life as change was very difficult for him to process, plan, and execute. He was doing his very best, especially with help, support, and encouragement from his many friends.
At the moment, we are planning the next steps and will try to determine the best way to celebrate his life.
He was an acutely charismatic, intelligent, and funny person. Sadly however, he thought he was a bad person and secluded himself away from everyone.
In this is a lesson for all of us. We’re all accepted, included, and acknowledged. Anyone who says otherwise, is full of literal s**t.
Audio above: someone, likely using a people finder directory, tried to scam my father. He did briefly fall for it, but offered his entire credit line to try and help his grandson Damian. It was easily debunked and he felt badly. But, he unquestionably volunteered to assist. Take care of your elders, they are falling victim daily to these sorts of scams.
5-29-2021 Updates:
I will be traveling to Valrico/Brandon within the week. We are planning my father’s life celebration for the week of June 6th, 2021. We will likely have it that Tuesday. I will post an update here and to the email list of the exact place, date, and time.
There will also be a second memorial happening in October. Many people who knew my father are traveling and wintering in the north, or in the west. We will gather together then to be able to accommodate those traveling at the moment.
A few people have asked me what David’s middle name was. David did not have a middle name. He went by “David,” “Dave,” and “Paxton.” To some, as a nod to his demeanor, he was also known as “Sir Paxton.”
5-30-2021 Update:
The woman depicted above is indeed my mother, for the couple of people that have asked. I’ll have an upcoming update about that as soon as I can.
6-8-2021 Update:
As promised, I’ve an update about my mother….
If you need to reach out to Dean, this form will reach him quite quickly and directly: